i used to walk in the middle of the street
i used to carelessly take three pills instead of two
i used to ride my bike without a helmet
i used to ride in cars and not care about my seat-belt
i used to catch without a mask
i used to climb trees without testing for weak branches
i used to swim when i was by myself because i enjoyed being alone.
i now walk on the side of the street where the car is more likely to see me
i now make sure i take two pills instead of three
i now wear my helmet every time i ride my bike
and in any car my seat-belt is always on
when i catch i use a mask
i now climb trees and make sure every branch is safe
and i now swim knowing there's somebody around just in case.
and this might all sound dumb to some people
some people might ask why any of this matters
but if you're me you know they matter because of you
because before i met you, taking care of myself was not my first priority
but now it's different
because now i know that if i need somebody, i'm not alone
because now if i need somebody i know i have you
and i'm not going to not wear my seat-belt
or take too many pills
or catch without protection
and risk losing what i never had.
you.
