Tag: poetry

By Patrick Johnston

If I were in love with the idea

Of you

I would see the flawless skin

Of your profile pics

And the hidden hair

Behind your hijab

And your hidden body

Beneath black hoodies

And baggy jeans

If I were in love with the idea

Of you

I would see that your skin is not flawless

And I would see your anger

And the way the world saps your strength

And although you might never admit it

Your need to be understood

And accepted

As you are

If I were in love with the idea of you

I would have given up

On the idea.