never have i ever 

stopped loving you.

not even for one minute

not even for one second.

i never have 

and i never will.

~~

and now that you are grown

and living on your own

please remember

repeatedly

that i still do.

~~

your heart may come to 

wonder about your value

as the world around 

pecks at skin,

and its message 

‘not enough’

soaks into bones.

~~

but please do not forget 

that you are accepted 

unconditionally,

and loved

completely

and cherished

extensively,

and now and forever

i endlessly

believe in you,

always. 

~~

©Heather Pound 2023

image:Daiga Ellaby/Unsplash