Love

Love is when you’re cold in the morning,

but you wake up early to heat up the car

so that when you drop off your little brother at school,

that five-minute drive is warm—

for him.

Love is when you’re hungry

and you’re eating the best cake you’ve ever had,

but you notice his little eye watching your fork,

so you push your plate in front of him and tell him:

it’s all yours.

Love is when you’re so angry

so fired-up, so furious

but when he comes to you and leans by your door,

your red face turns into a smile,

and you talk about video games and basketball—

for him.

Love is when the world is ending,

and everyone is scrambling, screaming,

and you’re scared, so scared

but still,

you reach for his tiny hand and tell him:

everything is going to be okay.

Love is never I love you.

Love is let me show you.