If I had yes,
would you lay with me while I slept
whispering two-toned love notes
in my ear while I pretended to be
asleep?
Would you brush my hair with every
ounce of passion, singing softly as
I belted out notes I couldn’t hold?
Would you kiss my rose petal eyelids
and tell me things would get better
someday.
Would you tell me when your heart
hung heavy? Would you let me
cook you a meal because food fixes
everything?

If I had said yes instead of saying no –
if I had agreed so I didn’t damage you
instead of saying no for my own selfish reasons,
would you still think I loved you?