I want to tell you

"I love you"

But I am just too scared.

Whatever would you think of me,

if indeed you heard

The flutter of my expectant heart,

The quickening of my breath,

The rush of blood upon my cheeks,

to redden from beneath?

Though I could shout it

across the sea

and never would be heard.

To whisper it soft,

under my breath,

Even that,

I've never dared.