Maybe next time

>» Poem
Caroline Ho
Assistant Editor

 

Sorry I can’t come tonight—stuff came up unexpectedly
I’m sure you understand, my dear; I promise next time I'll be free.

Sorry I won't make it out—I think I’m feeling slightly ill
But please have fun without me, friends; I'll come next week, you know I will.

Whoops, I've already got plans—regrettably, I must refuse
(except I canceled on those too; I gave them this exact excuse).

Hello, wait, was that thing today? I thought you said November third!
I'll guess I'll have to pass this time. The next one, though, you have my word.

Wish I could come, but chores await, prep work to do, emails to send
Mondays to Fridays just aren't great (but really, neither is the weekend).

Apologies, I’m far too tired. It’s been a busy, stressful day.
I’m just not in the mood right now. I promise, really, rm okay.

I’m sorry I don't feel like it. But thank you for the invitation.
I wish I could just tell you. You deserve a better explanation.

 

Anonymous street art

Tu me manques

» Poem

Bex Peterson
Editor-in-Chief

 

 

I know it’s been too long
since last I saw you

I know the texts you sent me
have stacked up, aged,

far too late to harvest

I know you understand the way
the days can slip into weeks

into months

into seasons and I know

we both promised we'd do better
and I’m the one who broke it
first

I know you're somewhere new now
and your adventures are worlds
away from where we grew up

and God, I’m glad at least

one of us got out

(they say the good get out)

I know that there’s a scientific consistency
to moonlight

but no one can tell me

that the moon doesn’t shine

brighter on the places

where you are

I know the way you refract light
defies science altogether

so we're all a little brighter

in your presence

and I know you won't believe me
when I tell you all of this

(if I tell you all of this)

I miss you;
youve missing from me,
I’m missing from you

I hope you know I count the days
until we can walk in the moonlight
together,

again