I Love

I love the sun that beats down one day

And hides the next

And I love that chill that fills the void the sun left behind.

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I love the buildings, the trees, the grass

I love the squirrels that peek out of trash cans

I love the geese that fly overhead.

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I love that stranger I pass every day on the way to class

He still avoids my glances

And I grin to myself every time.

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I love the guy who walks as if he can’t step on the cracks

And the ‘safe’ places to step are very far apart

So every step is a lunge.

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I love the smell of cigarette smoke on days when the wind blows

And I even love it when it hangs around

I cough, glare at the culprit and continue on my way.

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I love passing mobs of friends

Who smile with delight at my presence

I love being loved and I love in return.

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I love the awkward hello

Spoken to the person I know I should know

But I don’t really.

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I love that professor who stares right at me

I think she thinks I’m smart

Because I stare right back.

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I love that it is past midnight

And I write this poem knowing full well

That I have a difficult midterm this evening.

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I love that half the residence is up with me

Plugging away at their work

No doubt they have been more productive then I.

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I love that half can of sprite and granola bar wrapper on my desk

That all you can eat buffet is just not enough

My stomach still growls.

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I love the feeling of freedom that lifts me off my feet

When I think of what I shall do

And where my future will lead me.

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I love that I am here

And even in the awkward, not fun moments

The loves prevail.

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Written by Jennifer van Overbeeke