They scratch my ears

Your words...they scratch my ears, leaving lines that repeat like a record in my mind.
I can't forget you. And though I am getting better at playing something over the sounds of you that are ringing in my head, I'm constantly picking you up in the background.

"I love you."
"This time you will."
"Everyone has a turning point..."

The sounds repeat and drum away at my conscious mind, reminding me of my hopes and dreams that you are so intricately a part of.

"I love you." "I love you very much." "I love you, too"

And while words mean so much, they pale in comparison to the comfort I find in your touch.

A finger across my face. A hand against my leg. Your lips against my own.

I wish I had the words to say to convince you that we can make it work. We can make it alright.

But I don't.

And so I repeat the words I hope won't fall on ears to scarred to hear from someone who really means it:

I. love. you.

Hopefully they scratch the surface, becoming the comforting tracks that you hear when you need it the most.