Because I Love You

You told me the boys teased me

because they liked me.

I was crying in my booster seat,

and you told me not to worry,

that these boys had

crushes on me.

In high school,

when those same boys called me a whore,

you told me whores

will be whores,

and you told me

boys will be boys.

Their words felt like

compliments when

their hands were on me.

To me, their attention

was love, and

I loved love.

The attention kept

coming, especially after

shots of Jack.

1, 2, 3

until I couldn't say

my own name

or no.

Your eyes were full

of disappointment,

but Daddy, you said

whores will be

whores.

Now you won't let me

see him anymore,

but "Daddy,

I love him!"

You tell me you

do what you do

because you love me,

so did you not

love me when

you let those boys

call me a whore and get

your baby wasted?

Why do I believe those boys

when they tell me

they love me?

Why can't I believe you

when you tell me

"Because I love you"?