A Writing prompt

How would you tell someone to love you? How would you explain that? Here is how I would do it.

I would say, please be safe. Safe like a harbour. The way a lighthouse pulls ships from treacherous waters into safe haven, be that. Be safe the way a house feels after a long day. Be safe where my mind can switch off and I don’t need to do anything.

I would say, listen. Listen when both mouth and body speak to you. Listen so I don’t have to shout over the noise of an iPhone. Listen to the whispers that come at midnight curled on the couch with a glass of wine. Listen because you like the sound of your name as it passes my lips.

I would say, learn. Learn me like your favourite subject. The effort you put into sports is what I want you to put into me. Learn about me till you know me more than I know myself. Learn about the things that people would call mundane. My coffee order, my favourite way to cook my packet of ramen. What I like to keep my fridge stocked with. Sparkling or still.

I would say, stay close within touching distance. Within arms reach.

I would say, speak to me. With everything and about anything. Don’t shout or raise your voice. Just talk. Over dinners and coffee, on long walks to the beach. Or speak to me with your eyes, across the room, in a language only you and I know.