Tendency

“Because I love you” slithered off his tongue

“Because I love you” justified his slurred words

But daddy lied, he knew his actions stung

The worst was supposed to fly with the birds

It never did though, it rooted in my soul

And now I can’t distinguish good and bad

The harshest words planted themselves, his goal

Maybe one day I’ll be stronger; thanks dad

Years later, I was beginning to date

But looking for the “right” guy was hard

For I could not distinguish love and hate

And it burned after letting down my guard

The boys who would barely suffice for men

Who would take my heart and teach me again

The lessons I could never learn, amen

“Because I love you” hurt me more than them

But now I found someone who loves me

There is no trouble finding love, not hate

He taught me to avoid the tendency

To look for your dad in who you date

When I ask him why he tries making do

Despite the broken mess I claim to be

He smiles and says, “because I love you”

And I know I have found the one for me