I’m Not Flirting

“You’ve got such a sharp mind,” I say with a grin,

“And your style? Impeccable. Where do I begin?”

They smirk, they blush, they glance my way,

And now I’m stuck in another cliché.

“So… are you flirting?” they ask with a tilt,

And I blink, confused, my head at a tilt.

“Flirting? No! Just simple praise,”

“I talk like this most of my days.”

I compliment your brain? You think I’m in love.

I hype up your outfit? You think I’m above

And beyond in some romantic pursuit—

Bestie, I just think you look cute.

It’s not my fault I express with delight,

That I gasp at your jokes, my eyes shining bright.

I admire your thoughts, the way your mind spins,

That doesn’t mean I want to be more than just friends!

“But you laughed at my joke and touched my arm…”

Okay, fair, I see the alarm.

I just get excited, I live in the now,

I gesture, I emote—I don’t know how

To be cool, reserved, or subtly sly—

I react in real-time, I cannot lie.

So if I tell you your freckles look kissed by the sun,

Or that your voice sounds like honey when fun,

Or that your words are a masterpiece to be framed,

Please don’t assume my heart is claimed.

Because the truth is—if I was flirting, you’d know.

There’d be stammering, awkwardness, nowhere to go.

I’d be avoiding your gaze, my hands out of sight,

Overthinking each word, my face burning bright.

But when I’m just talking, just vibing, just me?

I’m free with my words, like waves in the sea.

So if I said something nice, just take it and chill—

Not rizzing you up, just speaking my will.

I promise, I’m not flirting. I just think people are fascinating and feel the need to say it out loud. Do you ever get accused of rizzing people up when you’re just being friendly? Tell me your funniest experience in the comments!