You + Me = Love

Bring back the love of our youth. When did expressing how you feel become so uncool? When did trying become too much? I miss when phones rang like small risks and your name in someone’s mouth felt heavy with meaning. Back when love still knocked, not pinged. We left notes folded like secrets, songs requested like promises. We asked, “Will you go with me?” And somehow those five words could change your whole world. What happened to the pause before, “I like you,” the brave breath, the dial tone, the waiting? Bring back drawing initials on the palms of our hands. Sleeping with each other’s T-shirts tucked beneath our pillows. Bring back falling asleep together on the phone.

“When did trying become too much?”