“How I Loved You” or “As I Let You Go”

My love for you was never perfect,
but it was deep and sincere.
I knew I was not meant to fall in love with you, yet I did.
I could have chosen others to share my love with,
but I chose you because I wanted you
to feel loved,
to know care,
and to carry some trace of my life within yours.

I loved you gently,
and I loved you passionately.
I loved all of you, even what was imperfect. Though I knew we were different,
but I still chose you.
You were my choice, again and again.

Now, as I let you go, I hope you remember what we shared.
I made you my priority,
often even above myself,
my desires,
and my ambitions.
What I gave you, I gave freely,
and I will do it again and again.

I hope you find the happiness,
and the life I could not give you.
If life ever casts you aside
or tries to wrap you in shame,
I hope you find someone who will love you even more than I did,
think of you more than I could,
carry your heart more carefully than I ever managed.
I hope you he will treat you with greater gentleness and kindness than I was able to give.

I am writing this last poem to tell you how I have loved you,
to give shape to my devotion,
to name what I was willing to give:
the truth of my love, sincere and real.

I am writing this last poem to remind you how I chose you,
and where I stop,
not the end of loving you,
but the moment I choose to release you,
without saying goodbye.

I let you go, painfully, into a kinder life,
so you may know a more beautiful love
that comes after me.

May someone carry you gently.