In Loving a Woman Like Me by Annyka Dela Cruz

if you have finally decided that you truly love me
can you handle the fire burning in my chest?
or my belief of independence when I can truly manage?

will you allow me to till and enrich my own garden?
believe me, I can make flowers bloom without your help
and when in Spring, i’ll let you enjoy them with me.

will you raise your sword beside me against inequality?
join the relentless war against violence of human rights?
will you lower your pride with me and lift parallelism?

Love, there are so many things I want to tell you
but forewarning you is the best way to save our future

If you truly love me and if you truly love me enough to stay
can you handle the sleeping dragon chained within me —
Waiting for the ripest moment to clamor a centennial cry?