You’ve shaped a room in my heart.
Our room shelves hopes and fears,
locks away secrets and tears.
Just promise you won’t take anything apart.
My trust is not a one-time-use,
your anger would not be an excuse
to wreck me and depart,
then return with balloons of ‘sorry’s
and promises deflating into ‘maybe’s.
I do not care for pretty pink chocolates,
with a sugarcoat of surprise,
hiding your cloying lies.
You’d fail to manipulate-
I’m familiar with minefields.
I’ll watch to see if you lay
tripwires to get me to say
‘I need you.’ I wouldn’t yield.
I’m sorry if it sounds like I distrust you already,
this is on me.
I’m too used to being used.
I don’t need you to understand, I just-
I need- I want- I can’t trust
a stranger to look at me without disgust.
Love is unlocking the most honest part of yourself,
for those with good intentions,
the key only given with your permission.
You are not a treasure to sell,
you are a human who will love them well.
Love is trying to understand,
suggesting, not criticising,
inviting, not dictating,
love is not a command.
Knock gently on the door of my heart,
you’re always free to come in.
I’ll do my part,
providing the hearth,
laying the rug,
so tread softly, my love.