i say i love you 

the way a whale sprays 
its water after
a long dive
this is to say that 
loving you in an exhale 
after forgetting that 
i was holding my breath 
you say i love you 
like china in a cupboard 
soft, delicate, quiet
as if i am something 
that might chip if 
loved loudly
how do i tell you 
that i want to be loved 
like a highlighter
bright & see-through 
illuminating all the imperfections 
that you say you admire about me