Love me a little less

Love me a little less, I say.

Why? -she asks.

Because it hurts, I say.

Love hurts, she replies.

Yes, it makes me believe more in you and less in me, I say.

Why? -she asks.

Because I fear I'll disappoint you and you'll leave, I admit.

What if I stay and love you harder?" she suggests.

Then I'll feel bad for not loving you enough, I say.

Okay,

You try to love me a little more, and I'll try to love you a little less,

she says with a gentle smile, and maybe, just maybe, we'll find that perfect balance together.

And in that moment, we both laugh, knowing that love is a journey of imperfect perfections.