The Jagged Knife of Falling in Love

I’ve drawn your likeness a thousand times

The flicker of emeralds in your hazel eyes

Traced the contours of your stubbled jaw

Your smile beguiles all the hidden flaws

When our eyes met across the room,

I knew I’d never be able to say no to you

How was this the first time we met?

Can my heart not distinguish between love and threat?

You bow, I curtsy

Classics for all to see

Dragged into your gravitational field,

Your true intentions are finally revealed

Is it butterflies filling my insides,

Or trapped bees and wasps and flies?

Why does love feel like stress and anxiety?

Is this really the way it’s supposed to be?

This love between us will always begin anew

A day we both anticipate and rue

If all the previous versions of me thought I couldn’t love you anymore

Love at first sight is a reminder of all the times I’ve loved you before