I used to think having a good heart meant leaving the door unlocked. Turns out— you can love everybody without giving everybody a key. I believed every “I got you,” Every “I would never leave,” Thought the truth lived in the talking, Till I watched what people did to me. Some will smile while they measure How much kindness they can take, Some will call you when they need you, Then disappear when you need grace. But I won’t let a few bad chapters Make me hate the whole damn book, I’m just learning there’s a difference Between a promise and a pattern—look. Words can make a beautiful sound, But time will tell what’s solid ground. I don’t need to read your mind— Your actions translate just fine. Trust has a door, Love has a light, You can stand on my porch Without staying the night. I can forgive you And still change the locks, I can wish you the best From a few blocks off. My heart isn’t cold, It’s wiser than before— Everybody gets love, But trust has a door. I don’t need perfect people, I know everybody falls, I just need the same person When nobody else is watching at all. Don’t tell me that you’re loyal— Show me when it’s inconvenient. Don’t tell me that you love me— Make your presence match the meaning. Trust isn’t built in one big moment, It’s a thousand little things: Showing up, telling truth, Keeping words when keeping hurts, Being who you said you’d be. I stopped confusing history With someone’s right to stay with me. Knowing me for twenty years Doesn’t give you keys forever here. Trust has a door, Love has a light, You can stand on my porch Without staying the night. I can forgive you And still change the locks, I can wish you the best From a few blocks off. My heart isn’t cold, It’s wiser than before— Everybody gets love, But trust has a door. Trust isn’t blindness. Trust isn’t fear. Trust isn’t pretending The warning signs aren’t there. Trust isn’t access Because we share a past. Trust is consistency That survives when it’s tested at last. And if you break it— Maybe we rebuild. But bricks take time, And healing takes will. I won’t punish tomorrow For what happened before— But I won’t leave my heart Unlocked anymore. Love freely. Watch closely. Forgive deeply. Move wisely. Don’t confuse boundaries with bitterness. Don’t confuse kindness with permission. Don’t confuse chemistry with character. Don’t confuse apologies with transformation. Anybody can say, “Trust me.” Time says, “Watch me.” TRUST HAS A DOOR! LOVE HAS A LIGHT! I can love you from here And still sleep good tonight. I can forgive you Without giving you the keys, Because peace doesn’t require Unlimited access to me. And I still believe There’s good worth fighting for— So my heart stays open… But trust has a door. I’m not building walls, I’m learning where the gates go. I’m not scared to love— I’m learning who gets close. Love can be given. Respect can be shown. But trust? Trust is grown.
