“I LOVE YOU”

I want honesty.
I want truth—
Truth to myself first,
Before you ever ask it of me.
I want to love myself first,
So when I say “I love you,” it’s real.

Because I never thought I wanted you.
I just dived in—
Not sure if I fell in love
Or if I just needed an escape.

But you—
You loved me, raw and unfiltered,
While I held on,
Grasping at the feelings you gave,
Wondering if my “I love you” was ever true.

I want my heart to choose freely.
I don’t want destruction or doubt.
I don’t want to love in vain.

P.S. … I know it’s dark in here,
But maybe I need to adjust to the shadows—
Otherwise, how will I ever see clearly?