In Every Unspoken Word

Instant.

Electric.

Connection.

A vibration,

words I never knew I needed,

a feeling completed.

Scary beyond all reason,

because it was only chance that led me to you—

or was it fate, knowing that one needed two?

The effortless way you stay on my page,

finger under each new word,

listening to every unspoken word I say,

bringing me comfort and peace in ways unknown to me.

Keeping your heart within arm’s reach,

whispering in a way I almost hear your doubts,

like you’re trying to sort your feelings out.

But they spill, overflowing,

with every time you speak to me,

with all the effort you breathe into me,

with all the silent laughs and hard smiles,

with how, with you, everything slows down for a while.

All the while, my heart races every time you say my name;

a breath hitches in my chest when I say yours.

I’m overwhelmed and anxious,

but you make me a choice, not an option.

You speak of me like an old book you’ve read over and over,

like you’re waiting with bated breath for the next chapter—

because you want to be it.

You want to hold me gently in your hand,

knowing, understanding

that the pen in my hand is shaking,

that the previous pages had my heart breaking,

that the old pages are torn and bruised.

Yet, you treat each one as if they’re shiny and new.

You don’t put me on the shelf;

you don’t hide me in a box or closet.

You display me coyly,

so others can see my beauty but never hold me the way you do.

For there are secret pages within

that, if others could, they would covet.

You know they’d love it.

So you hold me close to your chest.

I feel the warmth, and I forget

how afraid I was to say the words I couldn’t bring myself to say,

how I held back too long—they’re overflowing in every way,

and how I keep praying to God you’ll stay.

How I pray every day you’ll keep choosing me,

and I’ll keep my heart open to you,

because things are just beginning.

But damn, do I want you—

want you in whatever form you may come:

slowly,

thoughtfully,

patiently,

growing,

feeling,

everything, all at once.

But even these words will never be enough

to express

everything you make me feel.

Let’s be real.