I sit & wring my hands
across the table
from you & your smile.
I swallow the ache,
cheek the melancholy.
Your eyes are bright,
it makes me nauseous.
It's a nervousness
that comes from being
all grown up.
When you wake up
& you're staring at the
ticking hands of a
clock you swear is
too fast — it becomes
terrifying.
I could love you with
my entire being for
our entire life.
But is that ever going
to be enough?
I sit here & take your
hands in mine.
It will be a long day
tomorrow.
We need to sleep.

- a.a.j // Jan 2023