Measurements

How much do I love you
On a scale of 1 to 10? 

    I ponder.

Your question hits me in the stomach

How can I measure my feelings 
In a calibration so calculated
And cold?

It’s like asking an astrophysicist
To put a boundary
On outer space

A scale would give you a number
But words would tell you what I mean

What does it even mean to say I love you?
That I’ll send you presents on your birthday
Whisper sweet words when nothing feels okay?
Travel to the moon and back
Promise you the stars?
Buy you a boat, horse, fast cars

Or would this transaction surpass monetary action?
    I’d love you even if we lived on nothing but potatoes.

        Then I wonder…            
Isn’t love a two way street?

A scale would give you a number
But words would tell you what I mean

Will you squeeze me so tight
To make up after a big fight?
Send me chocolates on Valentine’s day
And join me in bed at the end of the day?
Know all of my little habits and quirks
Staying with me despite them
And making long distances work?

If that is so
Then I’d say that is the scale

I love you this much, I say
Holding out my arms, widespread
It doesn’t seem much to you, but it is my whole being and body
I’d give you the universe

A scale would give you a number
But words would tell you what I mean

Now tell me, On a scale of 1 to 10
How much do you love me?

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