Walls up, walls down

From me to me

I love you with your walls up

with your armor tight against your form

I love you with your mask on

with all your shadows surrounding you



I love you when you turn away from my love

not trusting me to share it with you

When you fear the way I love you

because it doesn’t hurt the way you expect it to



I love you when your walls come down

when I make you feel safe enough to let them

I love you when your armor begins to fall off

and your mask begins to slip

and I’m able to love each layer of you

because I can see you through every one



I see the light in your laughter

and the joy in your passion

I see the peace in your silence

and the freedom in your love



I have witnessed the slow shedding

of walls 

and armor 

and masks

Watching you bloom 

and become more of you

reflecting back to me

more of myself 



I love you with your walls up

because you’re worthy of it now

not when you heal

not when they have been burned to ash

now

while your hiding behind them

and running from your own reflection

because you haven’t quite figured out 

how to trust the safety of your own love



So, I fill my cup

So I can help you fill yours

not in action

but in the reminder

that you are worthy

and deserving

of being loved

with your walls up

and down.