Alphabet City

She said let’s be stoic together
endure one another without complaint

I’ll not tell you my pain is you
not expressing the same about me

that would be true,
and I think we should strive

to lie if only
for this short time

open our hearts to the possibilities
of narrow-mindedness

be clueless on knowing
the cruelty of caring

bite your tongue
forgo this kiss

stand at-ease
rather than hug

I consider you with disregard
and disdain for your ardor

our silence is but the interlude
that parses, pulses our scream,

and so we howl
twice, thrice

the allure is turning away,
the abstinence is the sex,

for every front, there’s a back
for every me, there’s a you

upright, but still not being able
to stand

the small things, the everything
about you

© Carlos Chagall, 2013