truth meets courage

She is capable, steady, and strong.

Her determination and hands

trust ~

not just liked. not just tolerated.

chosen. understood. known.

and i hate that i still can’t say that out loud without choking on it—

this shame of needing

like it’s a weakness i should’ve outgrown by now.

but i didn’t.

My bed has been empty for 2 years And heated by empty vessels long before

Figures that could not touch the loneliness, whose touch ghosted over me but never stayed

Sometimes it was me, the incorporeal being, just out of reach

But most of the time I was screaming to be loved and you seemed on another plane

I could not reach you through the ether But nor could I banish you

So I stayed alone, in my not quite empty bed

Waited to have the space to stretch and grow again

love as recognition