You Told Me It Was Love

On the playground I am told

To wipe away my tears

“He’s mean because he loves you”

I am conditioned to believe

That hurtful words

Shoves and pulls on my resilient wrists

Are because he cares

Until one day I walk away

Black and blue among other colors that cry defeat

Those same people have the audacity to ask

“but why didn’t you just leave”

Because I thought it meant he cared

Because I was brainwashed to believe that I am not deserving

Of this person

Who gives me space when the world is closing in

A partner who will bare their soul to my own

Who is patient and kind

A spouse who never makes me feel

Like a thousand pound burden they must carry through life

Who will really hear me when I speak

And hoist me over mountains as I push them out of trenches

Who holds my hands in a field of roses

Long after the petals have fallen

And all that is left are thorns that slice our calloused skin

Because we know that flowers grow back and the sight is enough to keep us together

Because that is love