Pretend
I don’t want the pretend love and what goes with it –
safety, shallowness, distance, decorum.
I want the love that erupts in joy and tears,
passion and vitality, and yes, suffering.
I don’t want a polite peck on the cheek,
rather a hug that steals my breath,
and you there to receive it into yourself.
I want all of you, shadows and secrets,
shames and guilty pleasures.
I want all of you to love.
So show up and show yourself to me.
Let’s not pretend that anything less will do.