She told him—she loved him.
She showed him through small acts—making his coffee, buying his
favorite snacks, doing the laundry, sitting next to him on the couch.
He told her—he loved her.
He showed her through large romantic gestures—a new watch on her
birthday, a Christmas vacation, buying her favorite flowers just
because.

But he spent so much time with his friends,
and she rarely hugged him.
They were loved, but it did not feel right.

Still, this was something they could work through—
he’d make more time for her,
and she would rest her head on his shoulder during a movie.
But his job is demanding,
and she couldn’t control her face when she was embraced.

They say to love is to be loved,
But, how to show it?
Love should transcend and heighten the heart.
Yet, love is impractical when it turns to contempt .

She still thinks of him when she buys his favorite soda,
and she remembers how anything felt possible with him, when he
would talk about his dreams.
He still thinks of her when he passes the flower stand on his way to work,
and he remembers how she returned his enthusiasm for horror
films.
They each think back on their love that was more than love, and wonder
if the other finally received the thing so beyond what they could give.

Born and raised in Wisconsin, Kaitlyn Becker has written poetry since she could hold a pencil. When she is not writing, Kaitlyn watches Star Trek and sunsets. She is also featured in From Everywhere a Little: A Migration Anthology.