I Love

The gap between your teeth

That you hope others don’t see

I Love

The marks that mar your skin

Even though you despise not looking like a mannequin

I Love

The freckles littering your complexion,

Your imperfect midsection,

Causing many teary nights filled with heartfelt rejection

Those Nights…

I don’t love

Your somber, sorrowful expression

Thoughts dragging you into a watery depression

Please let go of this degrading obsession

I Love

Our honesty

How we’re open constantly

I Love

Although our communication may not be perfect

We’ll work it out and inspect

In order to reconnect

I Love

How we trust in one another

Rather than lying like no other

Driving farther from each other

Those Days…

I Don’t Love

The ever dividing anger

When I’m not your unyielding anchor

I Love

When I look deeply into your eyes and realize you feel safe with me

That I somehow make you feel free

I Love

When you let out ring a childish laugh

It reminds me that you’re my other half

Oh how I want to take an everlasting photograph

I Love

How we always see through the masks

We don’t have to ask

To lie in each other’s warm embrace and bask

But Those Times

I Don’t Love

The stubborn pride that will inconsistently attack

Turning my brooding back

Not allowing you, of all people, to see me gradually crack

I Love

That we persevere

When our dreadful demons lear

And the bittersweet winters are unclear

I Love

That I Love You isn’t just a word

It’s a beautiful vow

I Love You

Is a commitment

To always stand by your side

In the brightest of days

And the blackest of nights

I Love You

Is a promise that I will look at you

And see awe striking beauty in everything

Including those unpleasant flaws,

No matter the size

Because I Love You

                                                                                                                  By: Bailey Paige Speck