Love Poem: To trust just this once
Dee Styke Avatar
Written by: Dee Styke

To trust just this once

My earliest memories taught me
love is a tool used to manipulate,
to hurt, to force one’s will, to teach others to 
behave in a specific way. 
A promise one made but never meant.
 
In essence make believe, a fairytale like the movies, 
a happily ever after that never really was. 
 
My world view throughout life. Keeping others at a distance to protect the shell of self. 

Into parenthood i brought these values, giving what I had, an offering unwanted by all before. Can kids see through? 

Once, even grown, she said she wanted
to spend time with me, 
I found it quite disconcerting. 
Overwhelmed by the realization that 
her affection for me was genuine. 

No hidden agenda, a desire to connect. 
Hide my surprise, emotion washed over me. 
Is it possible, genuine affection, one for another?

Did the world shift?

is it true? Perhaps it’s real. 
Maybe I can trust. Maybe just this once.