Devils We've Denied

I know what you want from me. 
I hear you pause before you hang up the phone. 
I know what you want from me, 
but I don't want to lie to you. 

For years we have been sheltered. 
We've been encased in glass. 
Perfect couple on display:
No worries.  No cares. 

But outside of our display case, 
our problems have been gathering. 
Threatening. 
Darkening with every unvoiced suspicion, 
every swallowed insult, 
every hidden tear. 

Now, I know that you've apologized, 
and I know you take it back. 

But our glass walls have been cracking 
and our smiles have been faltering 
and perhaps we have been broken 
far longer than we've known. 

Love is not a playground. 
Words hurt as much as sticks and stones. 
Yours have broken my heart. 
They have broken these walls. 
And now there is no hiding 
from the devils we've denied. 

Yes, I know what you want from me. 
I hear you pause before you hang up the phone. 
But I can't tell you that I love you.
Because I don't want to lie to you.