Eight Letters

I hold this pen in hand,
Though my thoughts are many
They are twisted in my head.
A simple line to write,
but how do I say the words
that have been said so often
They've lost their meaning.

As night beckons to me
I turn towards the window
peering out into the darkness.
The stars lend not a word
to give me aid.
They just sit upon the heavens
waiting patiently
Hoping I take the pen
Find my courage
lend ink to the thoughts
and put the words on page.

But courage is lost,
lost among the shadows of doubt
as my hand shakes in the light
of a single candle burning.
With heavy heart
I lay the pen on empty page
Blow out the candle
Cursing the darkness
as it captures me with its breath.

I let the teardrops fall.
They tip so freely
from my lashes.
Strength has failed me once again.
As the last of the candles
aroma leaves the room,
I rise from the ashes of my fear
Still captured by darkness
I take pen in hand once again
and write the words.

"I love you"
Simple words
Eight letters
that wield such power.
In darkness,
lit only from the moonlit sky
that accompanies the stars
I watch as ink mixes
with my tears.