Say it slow.

Say it like a prayer I forgot I was taught.

I’m listening -

I always am.

You spoke and my body answered

Before my mind caught up

Every word you gave me

Found a place to stay

I swallowed every promise

Like it knew my name

Now your voice lives in my chest

And it never goes away

I don’t repeat you on purpose

It just happens when I breathe

Your language in my bloodstream

Every thought on repeat

I learned you by heart

Not the safe parts - all of it

Every sharp devotion

Every soft control

I learned you by heart

Till my silence sounded like you

Now I don’t know where you end

Or where I lose myself to you

I mouth your words in mirrors

Just to feel them land

They taste like truth and consequence

Like something I can’t unhand

You never had to ask me

I was already open wide

Every sentence you left in me

Still pulling from the inside

I don’t remember choosing

I just remember when

Your voice replaced my instincts

And called it “amen”

I learned you by heart

Every syllable stayed

Like a hymn carved into skin

I never tried to erase

I learned you by heart

Till my thoughts bent your way

Now I hear you in the quiet

When there’s nothing left to say

Say it again -

Slow enough to hurt

I’ll hold it like a vow

I don’t deserve

If this is devotion

Then let it sink in deep

I don’t need forgiveness

I just need you in me

I don’t speak -

I echo.

I learned you by heart

Every fault, every need

Every word that made me smaller

Felt holy when you spoke to me

I learned you by heart

Now it’s permanent truth

There’s no language left inside me

That doesn’t sound like you

You don’t have to say it now.

I already know the words.