No 1

He loves you, 

But he can’t commit 

Because “Loving you

Could mean Losing you”

He loves you not, 

But your phone lights up 

With his name 

Asking how you are

He loves you,

But can’t utter the words

Because his parents showed him

That love hurts those closest to you 

He loves you not,

But he’s the first hug

Holding you tight when the air 

Is caught in your aching lungs

He loves you,

But he’s his first priority,

Forgetting your actions

To always meet his needs

He loves you not, 

But has memorized your body 

And every way it melts 

Under his reassuring touch 

He loves you, 

But wants you to wait 

Till he’s ready to settle down, 

"And now is not the time"

He loves you not, 

But craves your admiration, 

Feeling safe in the security 

Of knowing your loyalty  

He loves you, 

But he doesn’t need you 

Like you have sworn 

You need him 

And soon there are no 

More petals to pluck  

And whether "He loves you"

Or "He loves you not", 

You have found yourself stripped 

Of the petals that defined you.

- Nicole Lynne