If Only

If only I could love you always
with purity and tender feelings,
with understanding and warmth
fueled by a generous spirit.
Yet, should I promise,
it would be a lie-
consciously and freely given.
For I can only love you
with this human heart,
this marvel that is the source
of all emotions;
the seat of jealousy,
anger,
selfishness;
a wellspring of contrariness.
Should I promise,
It would be to find peace after the
storm is weathered and in doing so,
assure that the seams of this love,
though they stretch, will never unravel.