We were misfits
the neglected *******
of a backwards world
that rejected us
not because we were sick
demented or dangerous
but because we didn't prescribe
to a preconceived notion
of what a functioning citizen was.

Not rotten enough to spoil
behind the bars of a prison
just competent enough
to work menial jobs
and drown our sorrows
at the corner pub.

We swallowed this hard truth
the same way we drank our shots
with no chaser
and at times it burnt
maybe even made us tear up
but we never let it beat us
(too strong for that)

We were beautiful
resilient beasts
that could carry the weight
of the world upon our shoulders
and it was heavy
but we would tell ourselves
"doesn't every world need an atlas?"
so we went on holding up the sky
when no one asked it of us.

Let's play pretend.
Let's pretend we don't know each other.
Let's pretend we were never lovers.
Let's start over.
You can teach me how to sing.
I can teach you how to dance.
You can teach me to play piano.
I can teach you how to love.
Let's start over.
Let's drink.
Let's drink to the good times, to the bad.
Let's get ****** up together and not remember how it ends.
Let's be young, wild, and free.
Let's start over.
Now let's remember.
Let's remember the past.
Let's remember how we used to be.
Let's remember all the fun we had when we pretended.

In a field
Turn round and around
Until the sky becomes the earth
Until the wind becomes
The motion to carry a thought
Until love moves at the speed of sound and rests upon a star
And falls on solid ground
With a blanket of the heaven to break its fall

hindi na kita ipaglalaban,
sawang-sawa na ako mula nang 'yong iwanan na ang puso'y nagdurugo

hindi na kita ipaglalaban,
hindi na tulad ng dati
na pipiliting ibuklat ang mga mata
para lang makausap ka pa

hindi na kita gagambalain
sa pagtatanong sa'yo ng anong maaari kong gawin
upang mapangiti ka at makita ang nakasisilaw **** ngipin,
ang 'yong ngiting nakapanlalambot,
ang 'yong mga matang natutuhan nang ako'y malimot

hindi na kita guguluhin
sa pagpilit kong kumain ka na,
matulog nang maaga,
para ika'y titigan ko habang ika'y nahihimbing
sa aking piling

hindi na kita ipaglalaban,
dahil kahit kailan
ay hindi mo man lang ako sinubukang mahalin
kahit na ako'y naghihirap man din,
hindi mo pinansin
ang pagpupuyat ko gabi-gabi sa aking tahanan,
ang pagpilit kong payagan tayo ng tadhana na magmahalan,
at pagmamahal ko sa'yo
sa lahat ng posibleng paraan

at ngayo'y bahagi ka na lamang ng aking nakaraan

What's a little distance and time,
when they're the only two things
left standing between you and I?

Yesterday, she touched my lips with her fingers.

I wasn't so dizzy but I laid my head on her thighs.

I kissed her on her cheeks, I hugged her so tight.

We talked about our petty little secrets.

We stood on the rooftop taking all the night lights in.

She leaned her head on my shoulders.

Her face complemented the night sky.

I stared at her and I swear she's the most beautiful creature I've ever been so close to.

And I knew in those moments we were just playing some pretending games.

I thought I was contented. I thought.

Now, I know we should stop playing this game.

I'm losing all my cards.

I'm afraid that maybe after we're done playing inside our own storm, I'll be left alone engulfed in the sea of darkness. Scathed by the memories of her. And no matter how hard I try to keep swimming to the shore, I won't be able to find my way out.

The only part of my day
That I look forward to
Is when I go to bed
And lay there making up scenarios
In my head.

I think of comebacks
To 8th grade bullies.
I think of witty retorts
To my mother's snide comments.
I think of intelligent things to add
To conversations I had months ago.

I think of all the things
I was too scared to say.

And in my mind
I say them.
And pretend how things would be different
If only I had the courage to speak.

this poem
is not about you

even though
your spirit is in every word
your voice sounds strong
in the halls of my mind
telling me things
I am now sure
I want to know

this poem is
about me

trying to understand
you