This Is How I Want You To Stay

I want you stay a little longer
when the night is over
when everyone leaves
because it’s still not over for us

I want you stay when I’m having a bad day
because you know how to make it better
and you know you’re the only I need
you’re the only one who can make me smile

I want you to stay when I’m scared
promise me you won’t leave
promise me you’ll always be there
when no one wants to stay

I want you to stay after I tell you my secrets
after I tell you everything I shouldn’t
after I tell you things that will shock you
I want you to stay anyway

I want you stay when it’s cold outside
because I’ll always be warm with you
I want you to make me love the rain
because it brings me closer to you

I want you to stay when I’m tired
tired of my life or myself
I want you to look at my tired eyes
and still think I’m beautiful

I want you stay through it all
I don’t want you to ever leave
I want you to stay because you want to
because there’s nowhere else you’d rather be

I want you stay because I love you
and it will be painful to watch you walk away
I want you stay with me
the way I would stay with you.

Rania Naim is a poet and author of the new book All The Words I Should Have Said, available here.