My love, you say I’m tough on you
that I often do the opposite
of what you want me to do
and this is true
but to love you does not mean
always giving you what you want.

You say you like to look at my eyes
therefore I will wear sunglasses
so you can remove them slowly
and savor the unveiling of my heart.

You say you don’t want me to lie to you
so I will make sure to conceal
the dark and delicate corners of my soul
so you can enjoy stripping away the cloak
to get at the truth.

You say I don’t ask enough questions about you
that our conversations always circle around me
so I will make sure to ask you nothing
and maintain my silence
in order to hear more clearly
the throbbing of your heart
the dreams and desires groaning in your eyes
the things you whisper under your breath
when you think I’m not listening
so I can learn who you really are.

I will do the opposite of what you want
and give you, not what you want,
but what you need.