Love
A simple word
Love
A happy word?
It must be.
Then why does it cause so much pain?
A word that carries weight
That some must slowly build up the strength to lift
Then there are those who lift it easily
As if it is a glass from which to drink
Only to place it back down momentarily
A word of romance, commitment, devotion?
Or of friendship, understanding, and connection?
I tell you I love you
I tell you every day
As my closest friend this just makes sense
Of course I do!
That’s what this feeling is
I would do so much for you
To make you happy
Of course I care about you in this way
I do with all my closest friends
And besides you love to hear me say it
But then you say those same three words back
From you it means something completely new
Something that I did not expect
Something that stabs at my heart like a dagger
There is so much pain in this single moment
Because I know what comes next
I can see the bridge between us crumble before me
Because of this word
This word
This is not a simple word
This is not a happy word
This word is a weapon