we use big words

the outro: longer and much more confusing than expected. I board the bus with twice as many bags I had come with, all much heavier and harder to contain than they should be. there are faces and names I’ve grown fond of and collect to decorate my memories and dreams. we make promises about keeping in touch. we use big words like love and forever and I don’t mind not knowing what they mean to each of the mouths they come from. I kiss the hands belonging to the hearts I want to cradle in my arms (forever).

cry into a teacup in the face of goodbye maybe meaning something now. is there space to grow without letting go when the bags are all so full? is there room for today on the freeway tomorrow? sliding doors smile open as I pass them at the lights. I look for answers in the leaves of a second pot of chai.