Love Is Not

Love Is Not

Love is not a hand wrapped tight around the throat
Love is not a fist clenched nor a broken nose
Love is not a rib cracked, struggling to breathe
Love is not staying when you wish that you could leave

Love is not control, it is definitely not fear
Love is not cowering when your lover is near
Love is not something that should silence your voice
Love is not something that should take away choice

Love is not having your privacy stricken
Love is not a feeling like you're trapped in a prison
Love is not the bruises that you attempt to hide
Love is not the feeling that you aren't alive inside

Love is not getting repeatedly battered
Love is not your eyes getting blacker and blacker
Love is not wishing you had the strength to say no;
For what is love, when in love alone?