I saw you
and I appreciated you

the curve of your smile
the crease by your eyes
the warmness of your voice

but this time
it didn’t knock me down
it didn’t stop me in my tracks
my heart beat didn’t increase
I was able to speak to you
without my voice getting caught
in my throat

time changes things
I can appreciate you now
without the overwhelming emotions
of what could have been

once I was forced to take a step back
I could see how you and I
were not meant to be
we were two puzzle pieces that
did not fit together

and it is okay

now

You will soon realize
that there are more people
willing to use their hands
to undress you
but only a few
would reach out
their hand
to hold yours.

You will see
how many fingers
would want
to touch you
than entwine their fingers
with yours.

on a scale of 1-10
I am terrified
terrified of putting myself out there just for it to be ignored
or even worse
unnoticed
yes I like you
do you like me?
is there anything I can do to help?
please just give it a chance
it won’t hurt to try
i’ll be here
waiting