What beats faster than the heart of Manila?

a city in ruins, outstretched palms begging
to give it my all
to revel in the moment
to stay the night

Is it my heart or yours that shook the ground?

Hands holding on to dear life

High rise condos beating the streets to mass hysteria
Like a stack of cards crumbling into a pile of
Gin and soda,
Almonds
Tarot

only the grey walls of your room left

Only, your eyes tell me
what words our lips couldn’t part with
the known knowns
known unknowns
and unknowable unknowns
save our darkest desires
and purest prayers
Hands holding on to dear life

You asked me to summon a ghost
And perhaps I did
Because every night I’m still haunted by it
a passing figment of my imagination brought to life
When you pulled me closer
And kissed me for the last time

At last.

KJCA