Zelda Vanrooyen

Love is a threat

Love is a threat,

not loud, not wild,

but quiet—

like a secret a child would keep.

It sneaks in softly,

through small smiles,

through eyes that linger

a second too long.

It makes the world feel different,

like colors grew deeper overnight,

like even silence

has something to say.

Love is a threat

because it makes you care—

about the way they laugh,

the way they say your name

like it matters.

It’s innocent,

the kind that holds hands

just to feel close,

the kind that dreams

without asking for anything back.

But still—

it’s a threat.

Because suddenly,

their happiness feels like yours,

their pain touches you

without asking permission.

And you realize

you would protect this feeling,

this soft, fragile thing,

with everything you are.

Love is a threat—

not because it harms,

but because it matters

more than you ever planned.

And somehow,

you’re not afraid of that.