I say I miss you

but it’s not exactly what I mean.

Yes I do miss the way the corner of your lips smile

and those ridiculous jokes you love telling

But I’ve begun to use those words as a placeholder.

I mean more than I miss you while you’re gone

My heart aches for you even while you stand right before me.

‘I love you’ is on the tip of my tongue

but fear holds a hand over my mouth

and I settle for ‘I miss you’ yet another time.

-Sept 2017