this_is_how_i_love_you FA113N Softly, gently, quietly. Completely, unreservedly, unconditionally. With thoughtful gifts and shy smiles. Through emails, and gtalk and letters. In poetry, in prose, in Song. Over distance, over years, over miles. Despite my guilt, your circumstances, our history. Regardless of your physical "imperfections", your spots, your medical condition. Without hope, without demands, without selfishness. This is how I love you, the only way that I know how to love you. I love you simply, though it may seem complicated. I love you with honour, though that is sometimes hard. I love you with honesty, though it may hurt us both. I love you with my whole heart, though it will be broken. I love you with trust, though I may deserve you hurting me. This is how I love you, without hope of you ever loving me. I love you in the poetry of others, in soppy love songs, I love you as I see in the dawn, I love you as I go to sleep, I love you as I write, and as I read, as I eat and as I breathe. I love you as the wind loves the leaves - passing by, touching, but never lingering too long. I love you as I tremble in your presence, as I still my longing arms, as I sip tea and nod and remain your faithful friend. I love you as I pass by other women, sickened by the thought of seeking comfort in the arms of another. I love you in my chastity, I love you in my renunciation of sin. I love you through temptation, I love you through desire, I love you to the other side of love, where there is no hope, no bitterness, no jealousy, only more love. This is how I love you: with open arms, open eyes and open heart. I love you in truth, I love you clearly, without filter, without creating an image of you. I love your imperfections, your pride, your stubbornness. I love you because of your faults, not despite them. I love you in your beauty, your grace, your wit. I love you dishevelled, clumsy and speechless. I love you with words, and I love you in silence. I love you as a poet, as a woman and as a acolyte. This is how I love you, and I will love you for always. I love you as Pablo Neruda loves: "I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where, I love you simply, without problems or pride: I love you in this way because I don't know any other way of loving" [Sonnet XVII] This is how I love you: On blather - hidden, waiting, and in full knowledge that you know how I love you. Thank you for letting me love you. 130209 ... unhinged after almost two months of not saying it after almost two months of not really having any idea what i mean to you i love you dangling from the web the dreams of us spun in my head (i guess i'm not that important) 130209 ... unhinged maybe you were busy but maybe if i still don't know what i mean at this point it's not what i want to hear 130210 what's it to you? who go blather from