PROLOGUE:
This poem reflects on the emotional complexities of love and sacrifice. Inspired by the proverb possibly coined by Richard Bach, it portrays the speaker’s commitment to nurturing a relationship through support and kindness. Despite their deep love and willingness to endure hardships for the partner’s happiness, the speaker learns that true love sometimes requires letting go. When the partner seeks freedom, the speaker grapples with the pain of separation while recognizing the importance of allowing space for growth. Ultimately, the poem conveys that love may involve both holding on and standing back, accepting that what’s meant to be will return.
If You Love Something, Set It Free
You are someone I appreciate
and I would never hesitate
to make amends when tension between us arises.
I give you hope and security,
remove all doubts and obscurity;
For you I’m willing to make sacrifices.
I hold your hands when you’re sad,
embrace you when you feel bad,
I’d always find ways to make you feel better.
My love for you is beyond doubt;
You’re someone I don’t want to live without.
I would do anything to keep us together.
If you’re hurt then I’ll lick your wounds,
I’ll find ways to give you the moon,
and anything else that your heart desires.
I’d be there to catch your tears,
and chase away your sorrow and fears;
Pleasing you doesn’t make me tired.
I would give up all my wealth,
and compromise my own health,
in exchange for your happiness and love.
I really only have eyes for you,
will never leave you for someone new,
but one day I learned that none of this was enough.
You cried when you asked to be set free,
and apologized that you didn’t deserve me,
but you were so thankful for my love and kindness.
Seeing you tensed with so much guilt
hurts more than losing what we’d built;
From this I learned not to force what doesn’t bind us.
It was so hard to let you go,
but love gave me the strength to do so,
I felt what you needed was time and space.
If you love something set it free,
if it comes back then it’s meant to be,
but if it doesn’t, then it was never yours in the first place.
