Love is born burning in middle-class 

cul-de-sac bonfires.

Gooey in the center of overdone  

off-brand marshmallows. 

I presented my sister a candid love,

unexpected tire swing tournaments

and a pizza box doll house.

Piggyback rides following

bounce house broken ankles. 

My first girlfriend’s love was shy, 

she held my hand under tables, 

gave me her pickles at Chilli’s. 

Pop tab DIYs and tiktok tags,

her love was hesitant to be seen with me

in high school hallways.

I hope my love is obvious, 

when my face gets red and 

I memorize their coffee order too fast.

I love on a budget, 

I love in a carpool lane 

I’d rather be transparent than my 

barely wilted wildflower bouquets, 

Snapchat story shout-outs

kind of love be overlooked.