Letter to love

By Lennesha Prescilla. M

Dear love,

I found you first in my mother's arms when she wrapped me with you. Then my father carried you on his shoulders under my legs and roamed me around to help me witness where all I could find you. As my body grew wings of its own, I forgot all my lessons. I began to search for you in boys, between two parched and parted lips, under wet umbrellas, in vapours of shared cups, on crumpled sheets and stuffed in gifted soft toys.

I looked for you in movies and instagram couple pictures. I dug you in the soil before I planted mango seeds. I flipped books to catch hold of you and seasoned dishes to smell you. I've made efforts to be presentable for your sake. I waxed myself of every other feeling that popped up like unwanted hair.

It took me years of losing my self into places and people where you've been. Today I realize why I should love my rough skin and how I shouldn't wipe off those things that prick me from within when they pop out on days others celebrate. I ran out of me to seek you. How ignorant was I to leave you. You were in abundance swirling right across me. When the mirror wasn't kind, I should have listened to you who smiled than letting you out from my eyes.

Now that I have little of you, I promise to create a home for you. I will not let any trespasser pluck you out from me, including me. I will love you while you last and when you're gone, I will birth you again even if it takes a year of my tears. Will you resist me when I, by any chance, become a wanderer for you? Will you permit me to run into my mom's embrace and have my dad's shoulders be my forts?

Love,

A lovable.

By Lennesha Prescilla. M