Know that words do not come easy —
my lungs forget how to breathe,
my hands shake and sweat;
reality becomes blurry
when it comes to my feelings.
I want to say I love you,
but my vocal chords nearly snap in two.
Fearful, I am, of not being heard,
since my voice is soft and absurd.
Oh heart, why are you afraid!
Never have I told you this truth,
for I will feel shame if I do,
it may be found as being misused.
My lower lip is ****** and bruised
from when I’ve bit the skin,
as if shutting my voice away in a self-made prison;
guilty of nothing.
But please, don’t leave — wait!
Let me try once again,
but just don’t touch my skin,
I may break
even further; my heart, it aches,
in this ridiculous silence.
You make everything better.
Why then, do these words taste so bitter?
Please, stay — don’t go!
I must let you know
before it slips away
and I regret never saying
how you make me want to live
and believe
that something can be forever,
in three words and eight letters.