Unrequited Love Poem by Mhawi Rosero

I love you

but do not expect that I will pepper you with sweet talk;
nor romanticize your existence as if you were my world -
that my soul is bound to you and I might not live if you were to leave me.

I love you
but expect not that I will be a menace to your wakeful moments;
nor will I police you until you set off to merry wonders of your dream
no, I won't be the annoying alarm that will wake you up next morning -
however tempting.

I love you
but I need no warrant from you;
and do not expect that I will demand a fraction of affection from you -
not a glance, not a word; there is nothing I require of you.

I love you
but do not expect anything from me.

07.26.12