2-14

2 things I will not write about…
Are your eyes
How they sparkle and dance.
Nor your lips
And the music from your voice.

1
Instead, I’ll write about your honesty;
When admiration was apparent
But attraction obscured.

2
Instead, I’ll write about your courage,
For that first jeepney ride invitation;
For taking one step closer;
For learning folk dance.

3
Instead, I’ll write about your character;
When you waited and hoped;
When you worried and felt vulnerable;
When you took a chance;

4
Instead, I’ll write about your friendship;
When you gave your time –
For crying amidst seaside sunsets
And jogging under stars.

5
Instead, I’ll write about your simplicity;
When fun was spontaneous;
When arguments were short but logical;
When mere presence would stop time;

6
Instead, I’ll write about your wisdom,
When your advice gave direction;
When your corrections gave insight
even if we do not always agree.

7
Instead, I’ll write about your focus,
For the things you want,
The vocation you desire,
and the transcendence of who you are.

8
Instead, I’ll write about your thoughtfulness.
For Perri todds and peanut snacks,
For twined rings and notebook drawings,
For edited wallpaper pictures.

9
Instead, I’ll write about your strength.
Despite your fear, you wooed my parents.
Despite your discomfort,
You enamored my friends.

10
Instead, I’ll write about your tolerance;
When PMS was painful and violent;
When disagreements always resolve with apologies;
When busy schedules keep us apart;

11
Instead, I’ll write about your humor,
How your jokes sometimes raise eyebrows,
Yet I find myself laughing.

12
Instead, I’ll write about your respect;
For understanding the word “no”;
For your silence;
When you had nothing good to say.

13
Instead, I’ll write about your struggle,
Balancing between trying to change
while staying true to yourself.

14
And, I’ll write about your commitment,
in 807 days, 19,368 hours, 1,162,080 minutes
and possibly a lifetime more.