I spoke to you in moments,
not in words.
in the way my eyes lingered
a second too long.

You never noticed the tremble
in my hello,
Or the smile and flush of warmth on my face when you walked by.

I kept my love like a pressed flower,
hidden between the pages
Because we can't be,
Not in this lifetime.

fear always arrived first,
dressed in “what ifs” and
the ache of “too late.”

So now my skin is cold,
Not because you're not here.
But because I could never tell you,
The regrets and tears,
of my unspoken fears.