it’s been so long. why do i still love you like this?
like the day i met you and found myself lost in your being.
like the night we laughed and very, very nearly kissed.
like the time i saw you in the moonlight and my eyes had never beheld such beauty.
like the moment i ran a red light because you were so captivating.
like when i held you and made that moment eternity in my mind only.
like our plans for our wedding, our home, our children.
like you are my forever and ever and ever.
why do i still love you like this??

I stared at the clock—
and it blinked.
Just once.
As if it knew I knew.

Time slipped sideways,
my breath turned slow,
and shadows whispered
where light should go.

Maybe I’m dreaming.
Maybe I’m not.
But the moment paused—
and the silence forgot.

I named the clouds just to feel known,
told secrets to a skipping stone.
The wind replied with riddles sweet—
I laughed, alone, on crowded streets.

Laughter.                      
          
           Joy.                      

                 Gossip.        
    
Whispers.                                   ­   

                 Giggles.                                
                    
   ­                            Friends.
    
      Smiles.            
            
Love.       ­                               

Love.

No.
Include me.
Take me.

No.
Stop it.

No.
No.
no