With or Without you: Things I should have said

Things I should have said: Desirae Hoskins
Version 3 Final
With you or without…

I should have told you that I am a romantic,
that I see beauty in
lyrics, flowing and sweet-
long walks with someone you love
good books, and coffee early on a Sunday morning
but especially in people,
especially in
you.


I find myself drowning in your warm and gentle gaze
like a tiny ship with broken sails, lost in the cold turbulence of the storm.
My heart: ocean waves crashing violently against the shore.

That I adore your infectious laugh,
that makes you squint your eyes and slap your knee.

I should have let you in on the fact
that your hand in mine burns a flame-
a fire that only the two of us can share.
Your touch makes me shake
like the lightest kiss of a butterfly
on a cool morning,
and when you caress my face
I want to melt into a puddle of love struck
at your feet.

That when you wipe away my tears
the ones that flow effortlessly in a rush,
like some large barrier broke free
and is now racing down my cheeks
I want to laugh
because your touch is so much sweeter than the smell of dew drops
on the earliest spring flower.

I should have mentioned that your smile hot like the summer sun
on the longest day of the year.
It changes my mood
your very presence makes me feel safe
just knowing you are near,
knowing you are here.

I should have told you one thing:
that no matter what happens
the miles between us
the oceans that separate us
I will love you
even though you will never be truly mine,
I will be here.
Like the sea
like the waves that crash against the shore
like the ever-burning flame between our palms
and the soft butterfly that kisses my cheeks
I will be here
just waiting for you to come home.