to the men i’ve met

To the men who have written me poetry, love letters, thank you cards, or long text messages to match mine. To the men who have paid for my hotels, drinks, dinners, and taxis, and to the men who have let me pay for theirs.

To the men who surprise me, over and over again, by saying the perfect thing at the perfect time.

To the men who share their tears, because their eyes are willing to let them fall.

To the men who have stepped up to bear witness to my emotions, and to the men who have let me bear witness to theirs. To the men who never yell. To the men from some place else, who help me hear the heartbeat of the world.

To the men who have harmed me, leaving wounds that work hard to become scars. To the men who make it impossible for me to stay afraid.

To the men who work for a better world, be it through social work or education or finance or government or medicine. To the men who go to therapy and know how to accept help.

To the men who communicate (without being asked a question) and to the men who tell the truth.

To the men who swim in the deep end of human connection, even when it’s scary, and reach for dreams that make no sense.

To the artists I’m quick to love, the revolutionaries I can’t resist, and the bleeding hearts I sit beside. To the brilliant thinkers I love debating, the holy men I admire, and the healers I find rest within.

I see you.

I appreciate you.

I have so much love for you.

You are a healing salve and a bright light.

Thank you.

Love,

Justine