Caution Tape

He looked at her,

He saw her face and knew that

He couldn't say it.

He could never tell her,

How he feels.

About how the love for her grows

Every time he catches that

Small, genuine smile on her face

After he tells her a dumb joke.

How the color of her eyes light up in mirth

When it's only the two of them

As they sit pressed together.

How on bad days,

She seeks him out for comfort

And he inches closer to her tense figure

Letting her feel his calm warmth.

As if willing his presence to be enough

To help her.

How on special mornings,

He'd wake refreshed in her bed

And while still half-asleep

She would welcome his gentle touch.

Careful fingers,

Combing back a stubborn lock of hair.

Her usually stiff and uninviting features relaxed.

His expression softened

When he was allowed to see her like this.

These priceless moments where she was unguarded.

These are times where he wished desperately

That he could tell her.

But then reality would eventually

Catch up to them

And the kindness would be lost

Along with those three dangerous words.