Cherish

It was so hard to see what was missing-
I accepted the emptiness,
and couldn't see past it-
or maybe I just didn't look.

Whatever it was, my eyes have been opened.
So much loneliness,
that could have been avoided-
so many tears uncried.

And it's all wrapped up in seven little letters,
one word-
I forgot I knew, until I realized,
it was the first to come to mind
whenever you did.

That feeling of being understood,
so long gone from my life-
of being accepted for who you are,
and who you want to be,
not what someone thinks you should be.

And now that I've remembered it,
I think I'll write it on my wall
in letters too large to miss-
lest I forget it again,
and how you, and it, make me feel.