The Strong Word

When I said I loved you

You said love is

Such a strong word

No other has used before

When referred to you…

I noticed

Your candid eyes

Became serious

And that lovely smile

Flew away

From your face,

Leaving a shadow

That did not fit you well.

I told you not to be frightened

By what you felt

In your heart

And soul

Because I was not

Afraid at all.

I told you I could not miss

Any opportunities

In life

For fear of saying

What I felt

To the special ones

I cared for.

I did not ask you

To love me in return

Because it was not fair

To ask such a thing

From a unique friend

Like you.

I love you

For what you are,

Essentially,

But mostly

-And more importantly-

For what I turn out

To be

When I am with you.