Ink-Stained Secrets

Every word I write

must be typed or written

in ball point pen.

No
No. 2 pencils

or automatic

click

click 

click 

pencils

I can gnaw the erasers

off of
will do.

Ink-stained regret
that doesn't wash out
with the next wash
is the kind of permanence
I need
when I write
the words
'I love you'.

Words I can't take back
and will never want to
no matter how little
you deserve them.

I write them in a note
that I fold into fours
and light on fire.
Just because
I love you,
it doesn't mean
you have to know.