sometimes my steel trap fingers
grip your hand a little too tightly
or pull you into me
with more force than I intend
I have made a habit of holding eye contact
a second too long
and I never get up
when you say it’s time to go
I say I love you
too loudly
and too often
and I always require one more kiss
I love you in more ways than I can count
with more words than I can say
but I am afraid that you can’t hear my apology
over the sound of my heart beating
the syllables of your name
September 17, 2019