he knew me

he knew me in ways i didnt yet know myself saw the sharp edges i hid from the world and traced them gently like they were meant to be held, not feared he knew when silence meant i wasnt fine when my laughter was just a shield never asked me to change, took me whole and only held space for who i was he knew the way i pulled away yet still held me, knowing i wouldnt ask never tried to reshape me into something easier to love he saw the girl behind the walls the one i wasnt sure deserved to be seen and still, he stood steadfast until he didnt i guess love alone could never stay but i wonder, did i ever really let him in? i gave him half pieces of me, my thoughts he deserved more, something whole now i know that i was loved truly and maybe that is what lingered after?what made his absence feel like a presence it was a moment and that was enough he knew me once but now i know myself.