My Reply to Your "I love yous"

I love you.

Not the kind of love that's fleeting,

but the kind that stays.

I love you.

I don't say it often,

'cause it's enveloped in my writing.

I love you.

More than the oceans between us,

more than the long distance

and sleepless nights.

I love you.

Your laugh, your stare, your story—

you—in every piece.

I love you.

Not the usual thing you hear,

'cause it's something you felt.

I love you.

And you know that.

***

A/N

For all the love letters left unsent.

For all the "I love yous" left unreplied, and for all the replies left unsaid.