I Love You, Too
As an undergrad in college, I took a creative writing class. The lessons I learned about creativity and the power of writing in this class stuck with me throughout the rest of my academic and professional career. In this class, I discovered how many stories were left untold and how important it was for us to tell them. The poem you are about to read was originally written as an assignment for this class (written 9/29/18). However, I included it in this month’s series of written work because as we talk about my experiences with love, this provides a great foundation for where my perspectives come from. I wrote this poem when I was madly in love with a man who I believed was sent to me to save me from all the dark parts of my life. I carried these emotions throughout the three years of our relationship and held onto them when I refused to move on when that relationship was over. Now, I’m sharing this very intimate poem with you as we embark on a month-long journey to discuss just how complicated love can be.
I Love You, Too
I could never truly grasp why you would love me
despite every action or word you would say.
I just couldn’t believe that
regardless of what you’d see
regardless of how much you would learn about me,
you would choose to stay. It never made sense.
Everyone else had left when they had the chance.
It seemed to me my circumstance was too much to bear.
All the secrets, all the lies, all the hurt
that caused me to disguise who I am made it hard for me
to welcome a man into my life that not even I
could fully understand. So tired of being blindsided,
I decided I wasn’t worth it either. I became eager
to push you away. To me, it was easier to block the hurt, stop it
from ever reaching the surface. But why am I telling you when
you already know this? You pushed, and prodded, and
forced your way in. See,
I never really knew how much you loved me
til’ the night my world went dim. I lied to your face
though you knew I was upset. I didn’t even know why,
but I realized that my heart was filled with regret.
So, I called you over, and you came running. You laid by me
and I found it stunning that despite all the truths you know
I omitted, you fought on, desperately committed
to learn about every side, every angle, every detail of the life
I have been submitted to live.
When I woke up in the morning,
still in your arms. I discovered you laid by me all night long, as
I cried, as I whimpered, as my eyes filled with tears.
As my snot drenched your shirt, as I held onto you so dear.
I showed you my most vulnerable side
yet, somehow, you were still here.
That’s when you looked in my eyes
and whispered, “I love you”,
but no words will ever describe
how much I love you, too.
PUSH THE CONVERSATION FORWARD
There’ll be some questions posted at the end of each written work. These questions are meant to push the conversation forward about the trials & tribulations of embracing your identity and how we should change the narrative to build a better society. Whether you answer these questions in the comments, on social media, to your friends and family, or just to yourself, their main purpose is to get you to think. How do you feel about the direction of the conversation? Your thoughts and opinions are pivotal in determining how you show up in the world. At The Hustle Legacy, it’s all about exercising using your voice to learn how to better embrace your identity. I hope you’ll join me in using your voice today.
Questions for This Article
What does falling in love mean and look like to you? Have you ever leaned on a significant other for emotional support? How did that work out for you?
What avenues of creative expression do you use to process your emotions? Have you ever written a poem about something you’re going through? If so, what was that poem about?
Did you find this poem valuable in entering the conversation about love & dating? What emotions are you left with by the end of it? What takeaways did you get from it? Do you prefer written works like this or more traditional articles?
