Mamihlapinatapai (Yaghan: a look between two people that suggests an unspoken, shared desire)

Not in the slightest a rarity,
we find ourselves staring together,
speaking no sound--
noiseless knowing shared through glares--
daring each other to make the first move
but for moments, we

squint, smirk, squirm
like the night I said I loved you
and your first response, "I know."
Then repeated, requited, "I love you" came back to me.

"I know."

And we sat silent, steady and breathless,
starting to squint, smirk, squirm again.

We stayed quiet, ready, wanting--
needlessly taunting one another
with strong eyes
but we required no words.

We require no      .