I Thought I Was Afraid

Until I met you, I didn’t know what it was like to be afraid

I thought I knew what fear was, but I was wrong

I knew to avoid upsetting or angering you

To never forget my proper place

I never thought I would need to fear your smile

Or to be afraid of you leaving my life

I never knew to be scared of your gentle voice

Or the happiness in your eyes

I knew to fear your mind and hands

But didn't know to fear your tongue and eyes

I never knew to fear the good in someone

Or rather, to fear that they will leave

Because, before you, I wasn’t truly afraid

One cannot have dark without light: they coincide

Likewise, one cannot have have happiness

Without the fear of it being ripped away

Until you, I had no true understanding of fear

But now, I cannot breathe