x’s and o’s

x’s and o’s mean more than hugs and kisses
when they’re carved into your heart
they are more than I love you
or I’ll never leave
they are the secrets we keep
behind closed doors
so no one will see

they think we’re disgusting
unnatural, unloving
when we’re more in love than all of them combined
they spit words of hate in our direction
and scowl at our affection
but they’re really just jealous
that our love will never die

a love so pure it never falters
with x’s and o’s painted all over
hands clasped together
the x’s and o’s mean more than I love you
they mean no matter what
they mean forever