I love you
not because
you're good looking

I love you
not because
you're caring

I love you
not because
you dote on me

I love you
not because
your smiles are sweet

I love you
not in lust
of your crevice
or orifice
or skin

I love you
because
without you
I feel

incomplete within.

i love your bonfire eyes and sweaty kisses
i love your prickly hair and dancing fingers
i love your hummingbird heart and distinct breathing
i love you

I sit here
silently eating blackberries
trying to picture
the way your face looks
right after I kiss you

I tried to paint
that smile once
but it came out looking
like a sunrise

you were like my favorite sweater
but
I couldn't help but pull
at all your loose threads
so i could watch you unravel
stitch by stitch


now i'm left wishing that i had learned how to sew

i used to
love you more than i love myself
now you can't
even look me in the eyes

your cruel remarks
still cut deep
but
i will never let you know