I didn’t just love her
I chose her
In the quiet
In moments
no one else saw

I gave her steady hands
and a heart that never flinched
I loved her when it was easy
I loved her more when it wasn’t

I memorised her fears
softened my voice to hold them
I learned her silence
waited in the dark
without needing light

My love didn’t ask to be returned
It asked to be real
So I gave it
even when I was tired
even when it cracked me open