Love?

You and I stood,

The wind in our faces,

Our hearts beating in anticipation.

Then slowly you spoke the words,

"I love you. Do you love me?", you said.

I stared back in pain

At your face full of hope, excitement,

I smiled, my eyes sad,

But you did not notice.

Love- such a big word!

I wanted to scream, "No!",

Love is pain, too much pain,

Love is too much fear, of loss,

Love is too much joy,

Love blinds you, maims you,

Love makes you suffer.

Yet, you say the words,

They sound so simple, so real,

I set my experienced eyes on your face,

One day you too will be like me,

Torn apart, cynical, skeptical about life,

You, so young and radiant, deserve no pain,

So, I just look at you and smile,

My eyes sad, unable to reply.