by Heather Shepherd

This piece originally ran in Read This!, a literary magazine written and edited by high school students from San Lorenzo High School, ranging in age from 14 to 18 years old. This issue of Read This! was designed at 826 Valencia with the help of our tutors and volunteers.

I promise you my heart and soul
I swear by god above
I will be the only one
I promise you, my love

I promise happiness, commitment
And a love forever true
To give you joy and laughter
And keep my love all shiny and new

I promise that you’ll be proud
I will always do my part
To prove to you I’m worthy
Of the cue that’s in your heart

To share in all we do together
Be it either old or new
I’ll be the only one you want
This I promise you

I promise to stand by your side
To give you warmth when you are cold
To give you my shoulder when you’re sad
And love you more as you grow old

I promise to be the same old me
Who you loved right from the start
You will know there are none but you
And I will never break your heart

I promise you both heart and soul
To give all that I can give
I promise you a love that’s true
For as long as we live