Do you tell them she’s the one?
Do you tell them about when you knew?
Do you tell them how this could be it?
Do you tell them that you’re falling in love?

Or do you tell them that she’s just a friend?
Just another girl you’re talking to.
It’s nothing serious.
It’s just another story in your book.

Or do you stay up late writing my story?
Thinking about the details of every interaction,
dissecting every word and every sentence.
Creating a masterpiece inspired by our time together.

Or do you skip that chapter?
It’s not that one you care about.
It’s not the one you want to read.
It’s not the turning point in your story.

I wonder if you tell them you’re not sure,
that you still need more time.
You don’t know if it’s worth the initiative,
you think you could find someone better.

Or do you tell them how you can’t stop
thinking about me?
That you won’t be able to forgive yourself
if you ever let me go.

I wonder what you tell strangers about me
because you’re not telling me much
and I’m not telling you much either
but I tell strangers about you.

I tell them about what you do to my heart.
I tell them about the moment I knew.
I tell them how much I miss you.
I tell them everything I can’t tell you.

Rania Naim is a poet and author of the new book All The Words I Should Have Said, available here.