Platonic Intimacy

My best friend kissed me on the cheek in 7th grade,  

I texted her today, [we haven’t spoken in three years]. When my friends would yell across the bus lot, “I love you!” It took me years to say it back, [I love you]. 

Love is not obsession [22 sending to 16]. 

It’s big and soft and round, it can fit through any boundary,  or fill up just one cup. It’s mine to give. It’s yours to give away. 

The Intimacy of each syllable; 

[I - LO - VE - YOU] 

It’s not physical but meta-physical.  

Every human alive holds [I LOVE YOU] for someone, Intimacy is non-exclusive as it belongs to each upturned smile.  Each slice of shared laughter, each crinkle of the corner of the eye.  

Hey, friend.  

“I love you.”