I insist on telling other friends that perhaps
this year is a better year
than my last, but--
muscle memory dictates a culture between us both
secretive and private coded notes;
like amber repeatedly setting on my broken phone.
It's like my eyes lied to reveal a certain truth
when I thought I read you love me, before
you signed your letters like you always do.
Scrupulous and sticky were the leaning curves
while all the S's in the world sank
deep into the the crevices of my name.
Shadowed by the need for more space
to say a lyric or two; but there is always an end
a limitation for you. Albeit--
yours is the energy that travels with grace
where every risk of damage is mine to take,
yours to evade.
Over mountains and bloody red tapes
you course for my hand to hold
where you once held.
Until there is no need to try
because we just are,
as we always were.
Surrendering to acceptance, our legacy
running like river
tracing valleys.
Or quiet storm brewing from the distance
while villagers run the opposite
direction for safety.
Married couples making babies
in the middle of the night,
desperate for eternity.
Undressed victims of a lie, gloriously hanging
as curtains shine with light
to dance with a soft breeze.
Candescent feet from all the walking
to find what will never be lost
inside your mind.
Hoping that at the end of the line, is my silence
like I hang on the thought
of your breathe fogging mine.
-
Kumiko Mae
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