It was once said

Before you speak

Let your words pass through three gates:

Is it true?

Is it necessary?

Is it kind?

Do not appoint yourself the keeper of my gates. Do not seek to tame the wild animal inside my heart. Do not confuse my honesty for lack of devotion. Do not demand that I dilute of the truth under the guise of kindness. Love is brutal. And beautiful. And horrible. And honest. Do not abandon me because my words are powerful enough to inspire pain. They are spoken in truth. My truth. The truth hurts.

What is necessary? Compassion. In the aftermath of words that have fallen like bombs and streaked like shrapnel. Do not retreat from someone who loves you enough not to lie. Do not pack the wounds to your ego with the bitter gauze of silence. Do not steal my secrets and crumple my love…