I always thought love was pure, 
A radiant light illuminating the darkest corners of my soul; 
I never knew it was a mere fantasy, 
A shimmering mirage dancing just beyond my reach. 
It was not real, nor was it fake— 
A paradox that twisted my heart in knots.

It was not pure, nor was it dark; 
It existed in shades of gray, a delicate balance, 
Caught between longing and despair. 
It was just an illusion, 
A fragile dream I fell into, hoping it was love, 
A fleeting whisper that promised forever.

It was just a sandcastle, built on shifting tides, 
Hoping it was blocks—something solid, unyielding; 
Yet when time flies, it became more painful believing, 
Each passing moment a reminder of fragility. 
When I remember the warmth of those moments, 
It shows a huge weakness and a burden too heavy to hold. 

Yet I still believed—clinging to the echoes of hope, 
That my love fantasy would somehow be real; 
I painted my world with vibrant colors of affection, 
Constructing castles in the air with dreams and desires. 

But I just realized—like the tide eroding my dreams— 
It was all just a lie I told myself, wrapped in comfort; 
That love was pure—a sweet deception that cradled my heart.

In the quiet moments of reflection, I see now,  
The truth lurking beneath the surface of my yearning;  
Love is not always the fairytale we envision—  
Sometimes it's a tempest that leaves us gasping for breath.  

I wandered through fields of illusion, lost and searching,  
Chasing shadows that flickered like candle flames;  
Each promise whispered felt like chains binding me tighter—  
Yet still I sought solace in the embrace of this mirage.  

But now I stand at the edge of reality’s chasm,  
Gazing into the depths where truth resides;  
No longer will I mistake fantasy for authenticity—  
For love is complex, woven with joy and pain intertwined.  

I must learn to redefine what love means to me—  
To embrace its imperfections and accept its flaws;  
For in the rawness of vulnerability lies true strength—  
And in acknowledging the lies, I can begin to heal.  

So here I am—ready to confront this new dawn,  
To seek a love grounded in reality rather than dreams;  
For even if it’s not pure or perfect as I once believed—  
There is beauty in authenticity and grace in acceptance.  

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-gifttaylor