shorthand

and I wonder oftentimes now
when those around me first fell in love
or if they've ever been in love at all.
whom did they love?
or perhaps not whom, but what?

for me it was when I was seven and building castles
I was in love for a moment, just a moment,
when he laughed against my lips and said, "you're still building castles."
I've never been in love with anyone but a dream
but I have always, and will always
love
     love