He Calls Me “Love”

"Hold On" by Andie Bottrell, inspired by Egon Schiele

everything can
feel like
it’s crumbling

instead of
running towards me
people flea from me

like bats from caves
with such fast beating
wings
 
i sink further down
into the abyss
that exists inside myself

i scream curses,
throwing un-justified fits,
losing my senses
and give up

but then…

i hear you
speak to me
 
and you don’t use my name
but, “love”
 
and in an instant i, myself,
am humbly replaced by
someone more worthy of the title
 
and gardens grow
where rocks had formed
and all I want
is to be that word
to you

to be the love
your mouth proclaims
with such assured ease
it gives me chills

please don’t ever
stop calling me--
please never stop
calling me your love