Because I Love You

“Because I love you.” That’s why he’d make jokes at my expense. That’s why he’d make empty threats.

“Because I love you.” That’s why he’d make sure he always knew what I’m doing. That’s why he’d make sure he knew every detail about everything.

“Because I love you.” That’s why he’d insult the kind of person I am. That’s why he’d slander the people I associated with.

“Because I love you.” That’s why he’d explain to me the kind of girl he wanted. That’s why he’d correct me on everything I did.

“Because I love you.” That’s why he’d force me to kiss him. That’s why he’d force guilt upon me.

That’s why I complied. Because I’m scared of him. That’s why I left him. Because I’m done with him.

This is why I don’t press for answers or ask for your time. This is why I don’t joke to offend or threaten to hurt you.

This is why I don’t seek to insult or to refer to you as ‘them.’ This is why I don’t discuss my ideals or correct the way you are.

Because I care about you. That is why I listen to you. Because I support you. That is why I’m here for you. Because you deserve the world and more. That is why I do anything for you.

You were hurt before. You were forced to enjoy the presence of someone else. You were done with them.

This is why I am the way I am. This is why I do the things I do.

Because I love you.