why would I love you, when you've known only the minutes between deep breaths and laughter?
why would I love you, when you've felt only the warm touch of summer rain through cotton fabrics?
why would I love you, when you've asked only the shallow questions and given answers that one can find etched on tree trunks?
why would I love you, when you've not lived enough to know me?

why would I want you, when your laughter barely echoes in my bones?
why would I want you, when your touch is as cold as silken gloves?
why would I want you, when your mind is satisfied with not knowing?
why would I want you, when your life had just begun?

why would I need you, when all I've known are the seconds between deep breaths and drowning?
why would I need you, when all I've felt is the cold touch of howling winds and hailstorms?
why would I need you, when all I've asked was left unanswered and I've still too many questions?
why would I need you, when all I've lived is epilogue?