because I love you

A four-letter word

Some so eager to say

That one little word

I so often turned away

I love you.

I couldn’t say it

Too afraid to face the heartbreak

To make a connection,

I thought complete

Only to end like the others

In an archive of lost loves

I couldn’t expose my heart again.

To repeat the cycle

Of love given, then gone, and lost

until I was gone with it

You came

unexpected.

And stayed when I needed you most.

You gave me more than a word

You gave me compassion

understanding

support

respect

my best friend

And I gave you the same

You make me proud to love

Someone like you

Who is kind to everyone,

Without expecting anything in return

I am my best self with you on my side

You make the world a better place

By just being alive

Know how much I care

And appreciate what you do

You are amazing

I want you to know this

I want to finally say it

because I love you