i tell you i love you as ***** from my lips stains your ear canal,
it burns in me, something i’ve been too uppity to admit  
i hope you hear me over all the music
and i wish it stained your heart in the same way as your ears
i love you   i won’t stutter over it or sail under it

i love you i love you i love you

i’ll die saying it, i’ll live believing in it
i’ll chant it away and pray that it leaves


but it won’t, so please say it back

i love you i love you i love you