i love you

is so overused

thats why

i always pause 

before i tell you 

that i love you

because i want you

to know that im serious

and i hope

for my sake and yours

that this lasts

that we last

because you know

more about me

than i even know

and ive seen you

and your flaws 

and ive loved you 

even more after that

youve seen me 

fall apart completely

and you picked me up

dusted me off

and loved me even more

if this isnt

the stuff that poems

and quotes 

are made of

then i dont want

real love

i just want

whatever this is