Buttons

It’s 2 AM
and I’m watching you sew
gold buttons on your suit jacket,
your eyes narrowed,
your teeth clenched
in concentration.

Your glasses are crooked
because I stepped on them the other day
when we fell asleep on the living room floor.
You haven’t shaved in a week,
but
it’s too late for that.
I’ll do it in the morning,
you say.

But
I’ve already crawled into my
lofted twin-size bed
and
fallen asleep.

I left the door open
for you.

It’s 6 AM
and I’m not sure if it was the sun
or your kiss
that woke me.

I untangle my legs from the sweaty sheets
and wrap them around yours.

Your face is half-buried in my red pillow,
but I see part of a smile,
a dimple on your unshaven cheek,
your right eye, closed,
your thick eyelashes,
your dark, ruffled hair,
the sunlight glowing through the dusty blinds,
on your face,
on your sleepy grin.

We kiss and for a moment
I’ve forgotten how tired I feel,
and you’ve forgotten about your interview,
while your suit jacket hangs
below my bed,
its gold buttons
gleaming
in the sunrise.

Death is not a cause for celebration

I'm not sure what Osama bin Laden's death means to the military action we're involved in, and I'm not sure what the death means to the world politically, but I know his death does not mean it's time to throw a party, because that's what they did ten years ago, and that's what hurt us.

Millions of Americans are still affected by the 9/11 attacks and the following wars every day. I have been blessed enough to not know someone personally who has died from the War on Terror, but I am deeply sorry for those who have lost loved ones. I sincerely hope that with the loss of bin Laden's power and control, people may find peace for their losses.

His death, and more importantly, the end of his leadership of Al Qaeda, will cause a huge change in our politics here and our military involvement in the Middle East, but it's difficult to perceive precisely how, and in which direction, everything will shift.

For me, I'm not celebrating until we've pulled all our troops, brought everyone safely home, and stopped killing civilians and fighting for oil.

Constellation

1/26/11

When our eyes connect
the same shade of milk chocolate
reflects like a mirror,
from mine
to yours,
across the bridges
of our noses.

We are two stars
aligned in a constellation,
created to shine light--
together,
long after the sun has set;
and we brighten the dark evening sky--
forever.