What Is A Healthy Relationship? It Is...

"Because I love you," four potent words,

after which anything can follow, from ballads to slurs.

This brief little phrase wields abundant power,

to enhance a relationship, or make it go sour.

But enough of what it can do,

"can" should not be the point.

Instead "should" we'll focus our attention to,

yes, "should" is the real word to exploit.

What should a healthy relationship be,

so that it can only soar rather than sink?

I'll tell you what that is to me,

I'll tell you what I think.

A healthy relationship is saying "I love you,"

especially when you're mad at each other.

Because love is what anchors you two,

it's the one thing anger shouldn't cover.

A healthy relationship is transparency,

because you're honest with nothing to hide.

Your stories all have coherency,

so their doubts can all subside.

To keep things healthy, you communicate,

you tell them what you're feeling.

You don't let your thoughts mutate, 

and become an argument that'll need healing.

Try to compromise and talk it out,

agree to disagree.

Offer your ears to listen,

but don't force them to speak.

Do not be controlling,

their desires mustn't be dismissed.

With emotions, there is no owning,

one-sided coins do not exist.

"Because I love you" is just a hook, you see,

which is stuck in your lover's heart.

It can manipulate them or make them happy,

this aspect of love is the scariest part.

I believe these are basic thoughts,

on what makes a relationship healthy.

And to ignore them puts you at a loss,

but to remember them makes you emotionally wealthy.