Because you looked at me
Ran your fingers through my hair
I am here
I am here, and I will be
Forever looking at you
Hoping you’d look at me
Again
I stand in a sari much like the one you wore
The day we first met.
Can’t you see? You are larger
Than the man who clasps your waist
Like a brand new gadget
If you could hear me, you’d laugh
“Such a trendy simile!”
Please, laugh
I wish you’d laugh at me.
I fear I’ll forget your smile some day
You will forget my jokes, too
And I’ll stay here dressing up like you
Mourning your sharp smile and kind soul
And your beautiful eyes, blind
I wish we could meet again
For the very first time.
1 It’s a valley of baby-pink bougainvilleas We’re little girls spreading our little wings Running after each other Colourman O Colourman, which colour do you choose? I choose you, perhaps I whisper to myself, I will always choose you. Our love will blossom as we hold our hands Ring a ring o’ roses My rosy cheeks, your dusky grin Aren’t we the best? I’ll go after you, run, run It’s a valley of red roses I’ve plucked all the thorns, Love will come to you Like a soft petal closing your eyelids Love will come to us We will be the queens of the world We need no one Aren’t we the best? As the branches grow pink, I blush too I love you, I love you.
2 The earth smells like you I run my fingers through the leaves of the potted plant There are no flowers today, You were running your fingers through the sand There were no seashells that day You were smiling as ever, The sunlight gliding off your skin like oil I tied my heart to the waves of your hair The waves made me fall on your shoulder in a giant splash I didn’t need the sea to fall for you, but I wonder Who did you fall for? I called you a mermaid and you braided my hair with flowers I called you a fairy Your laughter still ringing in my ears It has been years. I found a tiny bud in the plant A single dewdrop on it Perhaps that rolled down my cheek. The earth smells like you today But I couldn’t be the plant Rooted in you. Some dreams, or most, don’t come true.
mimimusing 