he said,
(this boy
who is not who i love
but could have been
in a life
where i didn't love
someone else already),
"i would kiss you now,
if i could."
i said,
"i know. i feel it."
i said,
"it's in the air."
i said,
"it feels thick, between us."
i said,
"the air
feels
tremulous."
"tremulous," he repeated. "that's good."
and so we sat
in the tremulous air,
me and this boy i could love,
but don't,
but don't,
but maybe.
we sat in the tremulous air
and we didn't act on it
and i'm glad,
but now
i can't
sleep.