Whole

Would you still love me if my arm
was cut off,
both legs off at the knee,
half my face gone
- let's assume it was an accident,
for the sake of the narrative

Would you want me to live
like that, and be bound to me?

I'd be trying to drive you away,
you know. For your own good, I'd say
and think. I would say and do

all the things that I pause
and stop myself, now,
out of self-control

for you.

while I'm whole