How To Love Someone Who Almost Loves You

One.

When you love someone who almost loves you,

Remember to maintain a 2-feet distance.

Keep them at arm’s length at all times,

As if you are pushing them away,

Yet holding on for dear life.

As if you never intended for them to stay,

But to always have them within your sight.

Two.

When you kiss them,

Part your mouth ever so slightly,

Coaxing every secret and whim,

But never letting them grasp yours,

With their eager tongue and insatiable lips.

Three.

Tell them, “I love you” for only two times a day�"

No more, no less�"

With the first in the early mornings,

When your words spill like water from the glass

You accidentally tipped over.

The second should be in the afternoon,

Lazy and drawling,

Like choosing a dessert

You shouldn’t even have after eating.

Never tell them you love them,

After the sun has set,

For the night has this certain heaviness,

That hinders you from taking back what you said.

Four.

Hide the butterflies in your stomach

Behind the hoodie of indifference

You put on every time you go back.

Five.

When you tell your friends

About this casual loving,

Don’t let their name trail off

Like age old wine�"sweet and intoxicating.

Don’t catch your breath,

When they finally come in.

Don’t flinch,

When they’re with someone else.

Six.

Don’t get angry

At the fact that

You two just fucked,

Before you got to this party.

Don’t stare too long at them,

Don’t let them see you seething.

Instead, turn around and shrug,

Wait for their excited whisper,

Inviting you to go somewhere far from here.

Seven.

And when you do go,

When you finally feel the sheets,

With your cold, calloused hands,

Remember to f**k them hard,

As hard as you can.

Eight.

Taint every resentment with a groan,

Coat all of your hate with a moan,

Scratch the name their lover,

Off their uncaring back,

Writing over it with your own.

Accept every bite gladly,

Feel the pain that courses through your body.

Nine.

But don’t you cry while you love them,

Whether or not you’re in the bed,

The bathtub, the balcony�"

Because they will take this a sign,

The time to finally leave.

Ten.

And when they do leave,

Close your eyes and steady your breath.

You already knew this would happen,

You already knew what to expect.

Break your own heart,

Steal your own soul.

To survive the chaos,

You must be the tornado.

These are the things you must do,

When you love someone who almost loves you.

[1] Charcoal Drawings by KwangHo Shin

Author's Note

This is my first List-type poem, and it was such a challenge!

Reviews

[...]

Very nice handbook poem for lovers. I like how you mentioned each detail emotion and motion. Very nice write

[M. Nolan]

It was hard to try and convey the emotions and motions there, so I'm very happy that you appreciated it! Thank you!

[...]

Yes I think that was great idea. And very well done.