Terrible Affliction

Withholding love to get affection
Vying for it shouldn't be about competition
Such a terrible affliction.

It is given when not received
and complied with when not believed.
Why do we proceed?
And where is the reprieve?

And how can we proceed
without receiving
without belief
when there's no reprieve?

It's just how it goes I suppose.

Love without transgression or repose,
to the bottom of the crimson birthing
of the sweet velvet
to the blossoming red rose.

Rise and shine my dearest of dears,
through our thickest of tears
and thickets of fears.