love is not a feeling

love, as willing as its perpetrator,

is an action that reflects desire-

a desire that is always responsible

but never controlling.

an unconditional engagement

written by one party

that exists whether the other signs it

or not

is love.

love is accepting denial

because love is not denial

but acceptance. 

abuse is not a feeling.

it lacks love proportionally to its perpetrator,

and it requires a commitment

to denial from both parties.

whether obscured by its own selfish desires

or lies it has received,

the mind of someone in an abusive relationship

must settle,

often for the sake of another.

objectively, however, neither party benefits;

neither party can benefit.

both continue in fear,

whether it is of itself or of its counterpart.

love alone can replace fear.