30 July 2026

Distant Presence

Some fruits are sweeter
in their shade than in 
the cusp of a hand.
Possession reduces 
miracles to memories
in no time.

Oh! my distant mango 
on the tree, I would 
rather leave you hanging 
on the branch than 
devour you at once.

May the child in me 
remain throwing stones
at your branches-
never quite reaching,
never quite leaving.

May you forever linger 
on my tongue,
than be fizzled from 
my restless mouth.

I'd rather carry the taste 
of you as a promise,
than the certainty
of an emptied seed.

For desire ripens best
where distance has
no utilitarian end.
Longing is the only forever 
that doesn't come 
with conditions.