Why

I accept how you feel, 

no matter how it hurts.

I etch a smile on my face,

when I feel the worst- because I love you.

I hold you even though, 

you bruise me with your words.

I bottle the emotions that

stem from what I've heard- because I love you.

I let you write all over my skin,

and then I pretend.

I convince myself that you won't ball me up,

and throw me in the trash bin again- because I love you.

I swallow your lies and my pride,

to make sure that you're satisfied.

I lose my sanity, self-esteem, energy,

hope to live, and my peace of mind- because I love you.

I sew my mouth shut with needles-

your bretrayal cuts me deep.

I feed on your deciet,

and starve daily from the neglect I recieve- because I love you.

But I must apologize because 

something within me has changed,

and I've come to realize that

I cannnot stay this way- because I love.

I love waking up in the morning,

not dreading my next breath.

I love hoping and wishing,

but only when it's not for death.

I love looking in the mirror, 

and liking what I see.

I love not longing to be, 

anyone but me.

I'm beginning to understand,

why it's not okay to to think

that loving someone else,

is more important than my well-being- because I love me.

I look foward to the day,

when the following will be true. 

I refuse to hurt myself anymore- because I love you.