A Real Man

He doesn't have a mother

She passed when he was only eleven

*

Which is why he cherishes

every moment he spends with me

He knows every moment counts

when in the presence of a queen

*

He's generous with his love

Always sure to make time

for who matters to him most

*

Never too defensive to sit down

and have a difficult conversation

Never too proud to admit when he's wrong

and say, "I'm sorry."

*

He keeps our business private

and isn't keen to gossiping

He knows not to let others

mess up a good thing

*

He is strong when he sticks up for me

He is soft when he speaks to me

*

He listens to me with love in his eyes

and he holds my hands even when we disagree

*

He's willing to put in the work

because he knows a woman like me

is rare and worth the effort

*

He loves how real I am

because a tall glass of soul water is refreshing after years of drinking artificially flavored women

*

He knows he can let his guard down

let loose and be weird

because he knows I am open hearted

and I am here for it

*

He's a real man

which makes everything

so much easier

*

I sigh in relief

after wasting my heart

for too long on childish men

who thought it was too much

to do the bare minimum