The last time we were together,
I was sleep
my arms wrapped around your chest
holding you close
and not wanting to let you go.

That was before your flight to the United States
And you woke me up with a kiss.

At 2:37 last night,
I was haunted by the thought
that you are no longer the same person
who will wake me up with a kiss
before his flight to the United States.

There is something peaceful
in University of the Philippines
at the end of the semester
after the rain

with nothing in it
but the sound of the night,
the occasional bouts of lightning,
the crunch of the footsteps,

and the passing vehicles.

And darling,
I would like to walk around the campus with you
while everyone
is far, far away.

And comfort me
why some poets
are not as beautiful
as their poems.

And in retrospect,
You will find
the good things.

You are very wrong.
Love
Is not all we need.

We need time.
We need comfort.
Desire.
Intimacy.
Anticipation.

We need understanding
And someone
Who can actually understand.

Upon laying down,
We need an actual person
Who is still interested
In touching our skin.

Inch by inch
After everything.
And love...

is not encompassing.

This space
between you and I
is exhausting.

No coiled, inseparable bodies.
Just this space,
and cold academic tasks.

Yes,
I desire intimacy.
Like an actual human being.

And right now
you were somewhere else
Eating lunch.

Body,
please rest.
You've been tormented by Mind
all day
all night.