it is romantic

sometimes you surprise me
and I find romance
in the most unexpected places
despite my personal brand of crazy
(we all have a brand)
and all the time that passes
you can still look at me
with twilight eyes
as though it’s the first time
you realized it was love

you wear my favorite t-shirt
and pretend you don’t know
that I love you when you’re blue
and the subtleties surround us
as I watch you take it off
and sneak a smile
out of the corner of your eye
fully aware, of course
that you catch me off guard
with even the smallest glance

I used to swoon in youth
but bruises of experience
taught me to stand firmer
on all my grounds, unwavering
except for you-
I stand down
and make room in this cluttered heart
ignoring all the reasons
to pad the walls with cynicism
or to be bound by fears of “what if”

and yes, I think it is romantic