The Cost of Love

Hugo Orozco

“Because I love you”

I am very cautious now.

your memories haunt me when I go to bed.

Even when I feel safe and sound,

Night creeps up on me,

I feel the whispers of you calling out.

Everywhere I look and turn has no escape.

Everything had to do with you,

remembering intimate conversation

to cutting you off,

nothing short of an amputation.

Another part of me has fled.

There is no hope,

there is no friend.

No one notices.

I might as well be dead.

True friends lie in discreet locations.

A summer filled with bedrooms and laughter.

This is a stranger to any high schooler,

and yet,

you were there.

I made friends with strong bonds.

Everyone was helping,

even without knowing.

I was acting like the old me.

But you elevated my perceptions.

Unexpectedly,

I was hit by an arrow,

Eros arrow.

I never thought these feelings were still there.   

You knew of my past,

how I tried to run from it.

Accepting me for who I am,

that’s the best of it.

You’re the gleaming light

in my twisted dark life.

You deserve the world

and I'll do my best to provide.

You made it feel good inside me.

Warmth without heat.

I can't stay away,

like a fly and a beam.

Using any chance to exchange jokes and stories

Not taking advantage, like when I was younger.

Insisting not to be annoying,

The crazy thing is,

You were also hoping not to annoy me.

Calling each other

in all hours of the night

Praying you're not off to the dreamland

If you don’t pick up,

it makes me feel better you're dreaming of a land.

And I need you in my hand.

Can’t make this go bad.

We only have one chance,

so let's make love last.