Love was always foreign to me,
something just out of my reach,
unattainable and mythical.
Love was a state of arousal
and not yet a state of being.

It was I that pursued you, yet
I could sense you wanted to throw
caution to the wind despite all
the voices in your head asking
if we were too good to be real.
I believed enough for both of us.

There were so many emotions
behind your imaginary walls.
The walls you built to guard
against the very type emotions
I fought for you to openly feel.

You were so used to having to
protect yourself, keeping love
at an arm’s distance and
I wanted the kind of love that
entwines itself into your ribcage.
Love that both engulfed and yet
protected your vulnerable heart.

Before you came into my life,
my heart was also protected.
It was locked tight from intrusion.
Your gentle nature dissolved my walls,
freeing everything I hid behind them.
We couldn’t know what lie beyond
each other’s walls at the time.
What lingering pain and monsters
moved among the shadows.

Despite your numerous attempts
at hiding the beauty inside your soul,
I saw the amazing long ago forgotten.
I still remember the moment
I realized the ferocity of our love
could heal all the damage left in the
scars of loves lost and dreams unfulfilled.

I'm not used to the way you came
into my life, a gorgeous whirlwind
twisting around my heart.
My love for you was engulfing.
It extinguished the fears I had
carried with me for so long.

I don't know how to love you quietly,
how to dim the heat that radiates
from deep within my heart.
My love has no expiration date,
I cannot picture my life without you.
I will love you loudly with every beat
of my bursting with love heart,
that is my promise to you.