because I Love You

because I Love You

amongst hues of magenta

beige white screeching sirens

mumbles of foreign tongues--

Ni Shi Shei, Hai Hao Ma?--

bombarded with memories faded

into the rugged photograph of you

I cried.

because I Love You

hugging Teddy Bear

swinging arms legs shoulders

packing punches--KungFu--

flaunting skills on the

edge of New York’s

midnight street.

I laughed

because You laughed.

because I Love You

in the third grade,

I held your wounded hands--

blisters calluses scars burns marks

burned into memory--

from laying down my foundations

embarking on the journey myself.

I worried.

because I Love You

Disobedience wrapped my body

and slammed it at You

Disappointment played poker with her--

who’s got the Full Flush?--

screams haunts

guttural accusations

static shock waves

slurs of profanity

intensity intended to

hurt.

I cried.

because I Love You

seizing monsters clothed in

history hate humiliation

cutting throats

esophaguses piled in

a leaking bucket nearby

I triumphed.

because I Love You

sitting on the carpet

across from You

I undressed feelings

beloved iron mask ego

pride privacy prudence

thrown onto my bed

spilled dark secrets

You cried.

I cried.

We cried.

Because I Love You,

my feet had no intention

of stopping when You

whispered secrets of death--

examined blood--monday--

don’t--know--maybe--

Cancer?

my mouth stayed shut

as if needles sewed them

together so

as not to explode into

magnetic pieces of You

and Me.

I tried.