I was scared to tell him I loved him  
Afraid he would stare at me and apologize because he could not love someone like me
Or say he has loved too many people before me and the feeling has always been incomplete
The words were on my tongue, I wrung them out and was afraid they would dry stale
he said it back without hesitation
"I'm IN love with you" he said
His words hit me
I think he means it
tears filled my eyes
my face was raw but easily able to be read
this is love?
this is love