within her heart was the simplest thing
a word, a phrase, nothing spoken, only thought
and she kept it there for years to come
where no one could find it
gathering dust
but in her eyes
upon a second glance
was the glimmer of that word's meaning
so real, so attainable
but guarded just the same
"do you love me?", he asks
"No" she replies, then she turns her head so he can't see
