Dying for Love Isn’t Love

There are words I wish people would stop saying.
Words that sound like love, but are actually soaked in sorrow.

“I would die for you.”
What a lie.

I heard someone say that to me again.

“I’d die for you. I’d give my life just to keep you alive.”

No.

Why? Why must you be willing to die to give your life to me?
Why can’t you be willing to live?
Why can’t you let me live with you?
Why can’t we live — together?

Stop saying that nonsense. I hate hearing it.

No one should die because of me.
Stop saying the most selfish thing a person could ever say.

I hate hearing a mother say it.
I hate hearing a father say it.
I hate hearing grandparent, a brother, anyone say it.

Why?!

Why don’t you want to live with me — a little longer?
Why can’t we just live a bit more, together?

Don’t you feel sorry....
for the child left behind, standing alone?

Please, live longer.
Longer than anything that has ever existed in this world.