i love you like the
moon loves the north
star

like the rain loves
the storm

like a fire loves
the forest, the fire
that burns on your
fingertips and scars
across my dove-feathered
skin;

the way the robins
and the crows love
the bittersweet burn
of the morning sun.

i love you like it's
the first time i've
loved, like every kiss
is the first one,

the way butterflies
erupt into my chest
every time your eyes
meet mine,

the way a cloud can
only hold a tornado
for so long, i love
you in so many

uncontrollable ways.

i love you like the
last and only time i've
loved, like the only
hope for me is you,

like the way it's
darkest just before
dawn.

i love you because
i know i shouldn't.