This is an I Love You Poem

This is an I love you poem

not because I need it to be one

but because when your face lights up

I can feel my heart open.

there are 2,052 miles between San Francisco and St. Louis

but at this moment,

there are 20 feet between us.

this is an I love you poem

not because I need it to be one

but because I have to resist the urge to run to your side when I see you.

I can see you are nervous

I am forced to go with the crowd,

walk to the other side.

I look at your face from across the room.

this is an I love you poem

not because I need it to be one

but because I am upset that I cannot hold you.

there is a sea of people between you and me.

I try to maintain eye contact even though I am continuously interrupted.

like clouds floating in front of the sun,

the world goes dark when I cannot see you.

your chocolate colored eyes

are glazed over

mouth in an uncertain frown

you’re wearing black slacks as dark as night

a rust red crop top that ties in the middle

your hair is the color of coffee

but it is as if you over indulged.

I wish I could ease your shaking.

this is an I love you poem

not because I need it to be one

but because I can feel my heart skip a beat

when you go up to the podium.

I am clapping

and I can hear your other supporters clapping too

because please,

who wouldn’t support you.

you start reading.

I cannot focus on your words.

I can only focus on the tone of your voice

and the way you keep readjusting your hair.

I can only focus on your body language

and how much pain these words are causing you.

this is an I love you poem

not because I need it to be one

but because

you are speaking of your crystal corpse

and I just want to touch you to prove to myself

what I already know.

that there are still stars in your eyes.

that your body is warmer and softer than stone.

you’re holding back tears.

I want to run up to you and grab you.

convince you that I won’t leave you.

convince you that you’re okay.

my love, you don’t need anyone but yourself.

and just like that it’s over.

you end your poem and then sit.

tears start rolling down your cheeks.

my self-control is suddenly muted.

the only thing I need right now is to comfort you.

there are tears dripping out of my eyes.

I didn’t realize they were there until one falls on my hand.

I don’t know if I’m crying because my heart is also broken

or if it’s because I hate to see you in pain.

I know what it feels like to have a broken heart.

this is an I love you poem

not because I need it to be one

but because you have a knot ring

sure it’s gold and ours were silver but

I know that we are still meant to be friends.

that was the symbol of friendship for me and her,

so maybe that can be the symbol of friendship for us.

this is an I love you poem

not because I need it to be one

but because I just want you to stick around a little longer.

I don’t know what I’d do without your empathetic words.

you say you have caution tape wrapped around your heart but I don’t care.

I love you.

I just hope,

you love me too.

-Hannah Sterkel, 16