"I don't know any perfect people. I only know really flawed people who are still worth loving."
~John Green

Sometimes accepting love, letting your guard down, and allowing yourself to be understood is the hardest challenge of all.

Eye Contact

“The monsters in my head are winning tonight,” I say.
Straight faced, eyes locked ahead. Above. Anywhere but in the pits
Of your two eyes. Staring at me
With worry, and fear beyond what either of us can understand.

“I’m complicated,” I say.
Darting my eyes to just above your head. You notice,
I know you do. So you smile.
Just a little.
The right side of your lips curl in a soft peel shape, gently
You whisper, “Look at me.”
I do.

The blood returns to my face, my pulse pushing its way through
My skin just below my jaw line that your thumb traces after
Tucking away the hairs that have found themselves sprawled
All over my damp cheek.

“I signed up for this,” you remind me.
I close my eyes letting the words wash over me.
“But you had no idea what you were getting yourself into.”