When I Began Loving You

Author’s note: This is a villanelle, a repetitive poem structure which is often used to deal with an obsession (which is made easy by the repetition). So often, popular media depicts people as broken or incomplete until they find a significant other. I believe it is important to remember that someone can grow on their own, that someone does not need another person to be fixed.

My heart had only been known by few. 

Weak, I was alone, no one ever by my side, 

Before I began loving you.

My soul, so broken, I would not force unto you. 

Wounded before, protected by pride, 

My heart had only been known by few.

You did not fix me. On my own I grew. 

Scars, I healed, before we could ride, 

Before I began loving you.

To you, my heart—so wary—it flew. 

Was I ready to have my fears pushed aside? 

My heart had only been known by few.

Strong enough to start anew, 

I leapt in faith. “I’m ready!” I cried. 

Then I began loving you.

Slowly you came, and I knew you were true. 

No reason to run, no need to hide, 

My heart had only been known by few, 

When I began loving you.