Today's the Day I Ought to Say I Love You

Hear me read the poem as an MP3 file. Alpha List Sonnets Valentine's Day Poems About This Site Poems for Free Copyright by Nicholas Gordon

Today's the day I ought to say I love you, Although I ought to say it every day. But "ought" can stand directly in the way, An obstacle to being honest with you. Why can't I tell you what I feel for you? Because a feeling's too complex to say, Wrapped in an appropriate cliche, Offered on the day I "ought" to tell you. And yet this squeamishness is just a pose Dissolved into the river of my love, Which needs no more than one word for its name. Beneath my wordy sophistry it flows Like truth that one need neither test nor prove, A happiness I need but speak to claim. Copyright by Nicholas Gordon. Free for personal or non-commercial use.