Because I Love

You are my best friend, the one I love, my favorite human being,

But you are not my possession,

You are the captain of your ship and I will sail beside you,

Because I love you.

But you’re your own number one fan,

I can’t ever take that from you,

And I don’t want to,

Because I love you.

Your body is a temple to which you graciously allow me,

But your body is your body,

And mine is mine even when ours intertwine,

Because I love you.

I will not ask you to carry the baggage of my past relationships,

Although they may change my outlook and how I choose to love,

I will not hold you accountable for the actions of others,

Because I love you.

But I will not tolerate abuse,

And I will not promise to stay no matter what,

And I will not prioritize you above my own health, mental or physical,

And I will not cross lines I am not comfortable with,

And I will not give consent unless it is entirely informed and unpressured,

Because I love you.

Because I also love myself.