Because I Love Me

Because you love me, he said,

You will submit to my demands.

I will put my body next to yours

The way I want to.

Because I love you.

This idea of love he taught me

Haunted my memory for years

I blamed myself for his actions

And his own need for satisfaction.

Rape.

That was never something

I thought I would experience.

But I did.

He said it was because he loved me.

Love is many things

But one thing it is not

Is forceful or toxic.

I wish I had known this

When I was only 16.

The years have brought healing

And now I demand respectful love from others.

Because I love you, my body,

I will only love real men

Not men who claim they love you

Just to get what they want.

Because I love you, self,

I will put you first.

You deserve it.

You are strong.

You are me.