Mandi Ducroq - I've Learned

I've learned that no matter how much I want someone
I have to let the decision be theirs
I have to let them come to me
Not force them to be with me

I want someone to be with me because they want to
Not because I threatened, cajoled and cried
Not because I begged and pleaded
But because it was left up to them and they decided

I've learned that no matter how much I love someone
It does not mean that they will automatically love me back
My love cannot make them feel the same way
My thoughts and emotions are not theirs

I've learned that no matter how much someone loves me
It does not mean that I will love them too
Their love cannot built a love within me
Their thougths and emotions are not mine

I cannot pretend to love when I don't
It is not fair on them and it is not fair on me
The pretence eventually becomes too hard
And both parties get hurt

I've learned to be honest and not scared
If I'm honest it reduces the hurt for both of us
The other person can move on without me
Or I can move on without them

In the end, I've learned that only if I'm true
To myself, to my heart and to others
Only then is there a chance of happiness
Only then is there a chance of finding love

Mandi Ducroq

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/i-ve-learned-3/