i told myself i wouldn't fall in love as i sat across from you in the coffee shop.
you'd ordered one of those foamy caramel drinks.
i, an iced tea.
you smiled and gave me a hug.
it was warm and sweet.
and we sat down, both just content with each other's smiles and the background music of old couples laughing and coffee being made.

you told me about your adventures, and the kids you so badly wanted to help, and what makes a culture beautiful.
i watched the way your hands moved and your eyes sparkled as you talked about what you were passionate about,
and how you would lean forward as i spoke about where i hoped my life would go, and how pineapples were my favorite fruit, and how i loved flowers on a rainy day,
as if they were the most interesting things you had ever heard.

and as we left, i reminded myself
   don't fall in love.
but you walked me out to my car and gave me a hug goodbye,
and i knew it was already too late.

across the globe

i had this dream about you the other night.
you came to my work after a long hard day. I had texted you saying how much i missed you.
you gave me yellow flowers and played with my hair and we danced in the parking lot to one of our favorite songs.
as i twirled under the street lights i thought there was no possible way i'd ever feel more in love with you than in that moment.

i woke up with a text from you. "officially landed!" it read.
i knew that even though there'd be no more slow dancing, hand holding, and flower giving, as we lived across the globe from each other,
i'd still always find you when i closed my eyes.
and i know that just as you'd found me, i'd find you.
slowing wrapping you in an embrace, making you promise not to let me go.
"i won't" you'd whisper, and you too would wake up,
missing me.

true happiness

she was happy
most of the time that is.
sure, some of her smiles were fake
and occasionally her hand caught hot tears in the dead of night
but true happiness doesn't mean no sorrow.
for you see,
it was because of these burdens she carried near to her heart
that she was able to laugh
and enjoy this life
so much more.

refusing to go out

i want a passion
so strong
that the wind that moves the trees
and the force that creates the waves
gasp back in surprise

i want my pen
to spill ink
endlessly forming words

i want my heart
to sing so loudly
that the birds in the sky
will come near
just to hear my song

i want my options
to be endless
for there to be no limits
to who i can help

i want my soul
to reach the mountains
and explore the seas

i want my life
to fight for what i believe
for who i love
and for what i can achieve

i want my body
to have life
full of light
and drops of sunlight
that dance off my fingertips
into the smiles of others

i want to fight
because my life is important
and i want to fight
because your life is important

so grab my hand
we can run into the moonlight together
and watch it dance across the river
we can live
like sparks flickering against the darkness
refusing to go out