my mother asked me
over the summer
after one too many
gin and tonics
after dancing below
the bright chilly moon

how do you know
this man is different

instantly
before i could even think
the words came out

i would take
every last inch of his pain
carry the pain on my back
carry him on my back
run through the forest of thorns
swim through the nothern sea
if it meant he would
smile at the top of the mountain
while the sun rose again

that is how i know this love is different
that is how i know this love is genuine
that is how i know this love is real