Your Love is Not Love

You say that you love me,

But that is not true.

At least, not to me,

Maybe to you.

Love is the comforting glow 

Of the sun on my skin.

The radiance of a smile

That is easy to show.

Love is the calm of watching the sea,

The contentment of a cat, curled up on my knee.

It is the courage to move on, 

To grow and be better.

Love is not what you think,

it is not hard and bitter.

It is not the anger in your eyes,

That causes me to shiver.

It is not the apprehension 

When asking for permission

To go and visit friends.

I do not have to obey,

I do not have to listen.

Love may be love,

But I am still my own person.

I do not answer to you,

I do not need your permission

To do things I want to do, 

Love is not submission.