Authors’ Note:

In honor of Valentine’s day, we wrote these perspective poems from the point of view of two close friends. Despite having feelings for one another, they keep it hidden for fear of ruining their friendship. 

If you love poetry, or any form of creative writing, please contact us at [email protected]. 

you don’t know it, but i do 

it was tonight when i asked you what you wanted to order

at a restaurant we’ve revisited more times than i can count

i struggled to read the expression that lay on your face

and unfortunately for me, this was always the case. 

it had not been recent since i began to notice your smile from afar

the glint in your eyes forming a perfect sparkle

and i didn’t realize that the corners of my lips turned upwards

you make the room go blank, like there are no others.

your laugh filled every room

effervescence spreading to everyone you were surrounded by 

yet i stood to the side, feeling satiated just by your presence

you don’t know it but you heal me, as the gap in my heart lessens.

you don’t know it but i still remember the first time you laughed at my awful sense of humor

i could feel my cheeks burn to the color of a crimson rose

your infectious smile made my heart beat a little faster

and i knew i was falling for you from then on after.

you don’t know it but i still remember the first time you took my hand in yours

head against the wall as i cried to you about my dog’s death

but between you and me there was still a fine line

so i would never point out how your hand fit perfectly in mine. 

but i’m brought back to this very moment 

where you respond in that voice i know all too well

you say that you’ll order a salad

maybe it’s possible that we don’t mix well on a color palette

because i was going to get a salad too

instead i order a milkshake

because i refuse to believe that we have the same minds

i’ll walk away unsatisfied, but breaking what’s safe feels like a crime.

i can’t count the number of times i’ve pictured you at my wedding

the way you look in a striking black suit, hands behind your back

little do you know that i don’t want you to be my bridesman

but instead the one who stands before me at the altar.