Why do I see love everywhere I go?
Why do I seek love everywhere I go?

Sometimes you wonder
if there is some universe where you know
that we took that photo just before
we got caught in a downpour,
on the way to the Eiffel Tower,
on Addy’s 29th birthday.

We walked all over central Paris,
reached the Louvre,
had a midnight picnic,
almost got stuck on the subway.

We laughed, so much we cried,
Then we cried for real and
got wasted on the apartment floor.

—Perhaps.

In this one?
It’s just a photo from a trip to Paris,
and I am in it—
someone you once knew.

You only saw it,
on a Thursday afternoon,
because Addy shared it for her birthday post—

(you hesitate to congratulate her,
she’s one of my best friends,
Guess no, you haven’t really talked in years).

It’s plain and chaotic
And unique and divine
The beam of her caring
In every tender glance

There is another timeline,
where we are home,
—after a lovely Sunday birthday dinner
of friends

We are thinking of hosting one next.
We agree everyone will love the dessert.
We complain about tomorrow—
Usual Monday’s sorrow
We do our nightly routine.
I ask you if you want some water,
for your bedside.

—Not in this cruel one, no.
Yet in some other, —kinder— it is.

Can you imagine all the conversations we could’ve had?
All the songs we could’ve sung?

You  added colour to my mess
and me like a painting
you weren’t quite happy with
The egotistical artist in you
thought could paint over

I was ruined forever

I am aware
Ignorance is bliss.

Yet,

I am aware.

I am too awake.

I am fully conscious!

This shall be the death
Of all my progress

I am aware!
Can you numb me again?

My mind is poisonous

I am aware

I am my own

                    worst enemy.

It’s a lovely day. Another lovely birthday. Sadness keeps expanding.. by the 29th, it has rooted in my heart

Evening air and dry text replies
It is a cold winter day,
in the midst of July.

Clear and loud silence,
surrounding her steps.
The sudden reflex to deflect.

A random call. A sudden ‘yes’.
Opening door, a familiar face.
Same old, same old.. exhausting exchange.

Dancing hands,  soulless gaze.
Curious hands, hypnotising embrace.
Rushing hands, the usual regret.

Lust overdoses, her soul feels sore.
Another heart rash. Repeat. Regret. Repeat.
emotional hangover,  


             unread morning-after text.

You thought  I was playing victim, but for me, it was never a game

It’s the spark in my mom’s eyes,
when the family arrives.
It’s the photo my dad is taking, of us
having dinner.
It’s my sister picking her outfit, doing her makeup.  
It’s my aunties singing and laughing in the kitchen.
It’s the cozy and cheesy decoration I picked.
It’s the loveliest mess,
The warmest season of all.
While all the gifts are by the tree,
the greatest, is just being here.
Let me just be here.
One more Christmas.
One more year.

I made a nest in my wounds
Please don’t cure me,
I don’t want to be cured.

After you used my body
My soul was tired
After you put a light in my eye
There was a fire

La galaxia de la que fue parte, colapsó
Con fuerza de mil soles,
cual supernova
Resurgió
Donde el viento sople, ella ira
Creando micro universos,
Al saludar

They keep on taking,

I am already empty.

What else can you strip me of?

My soul is already naked,

My flesh exposed

My heart vulnerable and lost

I saw strength—
Arms that once held me,
Protected me
Turned into fragility:

The weakened shadow
Of the bravest man.—

I saw and I stood
Powerless,
Tears holding,
fears hounding.

I stood powerless,
wanting to give
some of my years
To the one heart
that gave me
Everything.

The scenario in my mind is set,
I’m just too afraid
To say
“action”

I wonder
Was it a spell I was under?
I am awake,
And the world seems duller

The symptoms included:
Chest tightness, nauseas
Laboured breathing, heavy heart.
They say it’s a natural reaction
—I must be allergic—

To

     Bitter memories and regrets.

You are like a song
              forever
                        Stuck in my head

You were never that good,

I put some filter for your soul,

I made you up inside my mind.

Well, she had given her soul away before,
Of course she was soulless.

I’m selfish, I know
I’m stubborn, which, may be worse
I overshare… just not enough
I tend to ignore the facts that may be relevant
I’m amusing, yet I can make you sad
You’ll always want to know more,
you’ll never can
Poetry writes itself, doesn’t it?
Now I’m here, stuck,
with the image you want for me
no makeup will cover the fact that
I am still sad about it
No poem will soothe me enough
To ever forget about it

I wanted to love you so bad
I was so inspired!
It was better in my mind, I guess
I messed up.

Your name on my screen.
I forgot how it feels,
I lost my voice
I almost couldn’t breathe
But It wasn’t the same pain
It was some sort of relief
As I open up your message
and press the word “delete”