I can remember every hurtful criticism
spoken in a moment of anger by past lovers.
With each one I added another hard brick.

One more brick in the wall around my heart.
A fortress designed to shield my heart from
pain inflicted by those who declared their love.

Intimate betrayals hurt worse than anything.
I have always worn my emotions on my sleeve,
so brick by brick, I built a wall to feel safe.

I worried at times if I would ever find love?
Would I see it beyond the wall around my heart?
Despite this concern I continued, brick by brick.

Never feeling safe, I worked hard to protect myself.
Relentlessly stacking the bricks one after another,
trying desperately to never be hurt by love again.

Hidden behind my wall, I never saw you coming.
You refused to let my brick wall scare you away.
One by one, you began removing my heart’s brick wall.

It was not easy, for I had internalized every insult
each time I had been told I was not good enough.
You exposed my insecurities, all my weaknesses.

Thankfully bad memories fade as love grows anew.
With every brick you removed I trusted you more,
as I now become the woman I was meant to be.

I had never known before a man such as you,
one who each day proves love through actions,
convincing me to help you as you tear apart my wall.

Unguarded I stand before you here and now,
completely naked and unprotected for once,
allowing myself to love you back without fear.

Love is a gift that can so easily be abused.
You have never judged my imperfections,
seeing them instead as a beautiful part of me.

Letting myself love you without fear, without walls,
I now know what unconditional love means.
No bricks left protecting me, I am finally free.