I wanted to tell you
all the crooked and shiny ways that I loved you.
how the smell of the earth reminded me of holding you close.
how you looked to me like a bent tree, weary but strong.
I wanted to tell you
that I saw myself differently now because of you
I felt my strength quietly build
I began to see what you saw in me.
I wanted to tell you but my words dried up in my mouth and birds came and gathered them all up and flew away.
I was mute as I stood before you.
I had no answer to your question.
It hung in the air, a noose.
I wanted to tell you.
