You learned to fold your want in half To hide the bruise behind a laugh You wore rejection like a chain And called your hunger by my name I see the flinch beneath your grace The careful smile, the borrowed face You do not need to earn the night You only need to name the light Come near Stay true Let mercy make A room for you Let us want you Past the shame Let our arms close Without blame Let our longing Sound clear Not as a prize But someone dear Let us want Let us keep Not as hunger But as sleep I know the ache of being sweet And still afraid to ask for heat I know the wish to be pursued Without becoming someone used So drop the joke, drop the defense Drop the pretty violence If you came here wanting teeth Say the word and breathe beneath No chase No theft Just the yes Your silence left Let us want you Past the shame Let our arms close Without blame Let our longing Sound clear Not as a prize But someone dear You are not wrong for wanting closer You are not weak for needing more Some hearts survive by staying guarded Some only heal behind a door If we become that hidden chamber If we become that tender vow Then let the world keep its refusal You are allowed to enter now No begging No chain No bargain No stain One answer One breath One shelter Past death Let us want you Name and nerve Let our arms close As you deserve Let our longing Whole and near No more shrinking Out of fear You were never too much. You were only unfed.
