I sit back and wait

for her answer

she remains silent

forcing me to think

and worry

about her unreadable face

and pick away

at my fingers

and procrastinate

saying something else

and overthinking

her response

and wonder

if she loves me back

and wish

she would

and hope

for a future with her

and fight against

running away

and longing

to hold her

and to touch her

and to be with her

and I could go on all day

I finally confessed

after years of waiting

after years with a burden

heavy on my shoulders

she doesn’t seem to love me

she would’ve answered

she wouldn’t be staring at me

with that blank face

leaving me vulnerable

and afraid

and terrified

and about to burst into tears

and all I want is an answer

and now I wonder if I’ll ever get one

will it be spoken aloud?

or will it remain a secret

with me never quite knowing

what she was really thinking

she searches my face

opens her mouth

then closes it

anticipation lurches my stomach

and right when

I’m finally ready to leave

she answers