Love Is.

love does not define my life,

does not wholly constitute what it means to be happy.

love could never stitch my soul back together,

could never erase the marks on my body.

but your love might.

love is not infatuation.

it is not someone’s hand wandering up my thigh

searching for something i could never provide.

love is not disrespect.

it is not somone insulting me

for their own amusement.

love is not envy.

it is not someone stripping me of a better life

because they are unhappy with their own.

no.

love is trust.

it is being able to let go of someone's hand

knowing they will always come back.

love is communication.

it is being able vocalize how i feel.

say

“stop.”

knowing you’ll always listen.

love is patience.

it is remaining calm

through the tears and frustration.

this love,

your love,

is enough to make me want to love myself too.

because i love you.