my aromantic poem (titled "an anti-love poem" when asked to write a love poem for my class)

I've been here before

and you have too

I see it in your carefully curated outfit

the preparation mintiness of your breath

the way you jog to the door to hold it open

"thanks."

I've been here before

dates with girls and boys, and people in between

I've see the look in your eyes and begged for it myself

"fix me!!! find someone where it feels different."

I'm no stranger to a plethora of dating apps

to the arm around my shoulder during a movie

the anticipation before a goodbye

I fucking tried

I tried so hard that I hurt myself

and realized no matter how much love runs through my veins

it's not enough for me to be in love

no matter how much I like you

it will never be in the same way

your expectations made me sick

you made me feel broken

but here I am now

my love is no less valuable than yours

it is goddamn beautiful

and goddamn good enough for me