to Benjamin

Sometimes, words are not enough

We think that there is a word for this
We think that word is love
And yet
Every time I say it
Text it
Type it
It’s not enough
There’s so much more I want to convey
And this is where language escapes me
English wasn’t built for this
We take the same word
“Love”
And we apply it to so many situations
That it loses its meaning
If there’s a word that conveys this
(And this is a longing
This is a passion
This is a heart-string-pulling,
Tear-inducing,
Life-changing,
Mile-spanning
Emotion—no! Connection
This is a soul-rending,
Timeless,
Effortless
Connection)
I have not found a word for this
(And this is a happiness
This is an uncontainable,
Unheard of,
Undreamed of,
Bittersweet
Joy)
I’m certain now
There are no words
And so I smile
And even though it’s inadequate
And inaccurate
And not good enough
I tell you
I love you.