Milk and Honey

by Rupi Kaur

you have sadness living in places sadness shouldn’t live

a daughter should not have to beg her father for a relationship

believe them when they say you are nothing repeat it to yourself like a wish i am nothing i am nothing i am nothing so often the only reason you know you’re still alive is from the heaving of your chest

our bodies touched by all the wrong people that even in a bed full of safety we are afraid

i flinch when you touch me i fear it is him

how someone can pour their entire soul blood and energy into someone without wanting anything in return

That is what love is

he placed his hands on my mind before reaching for my waist