Clothes-on. I love you’s. Qualitatively different—

Giving pause—surprised. Incredulous of

The possibility…this could be something.

Clothes-on I love you’s. Softly whispered,

Tentative—and then declared. Rebuffed—

The words fall; they drop, shattered from a tongue.

Clothes-on I love yous? Supposed-to’s give pause.

Should-be’s flood the room—and still,

Unadulterated, the words stand tall.

Quivering, mid-moment, they almost make feel,

Make feel the girl with a bruise across her breast,

Worn almost like a badge of honor.

Settling, they rest upon the chest that swells—

Too much. Too soon, she heaves—too much.

And yet—they come: The clothes-on “I love you too”s.