You speak to me
in tones of brutal gentleness,
knowing it is the only way
that I will grow.
You tell me
things i do not want to hear,
though unwilling,
I listen
because they are the truth.
You tell me
things that hurt,
striping me bare,
exposing everything that is not pure,
and leaving me nothing to cling to,
but truth and tears.
You,
who hurt me the most,
do it all
in the name
of love.