This Year For Valentine's Poem by v.a. kuek

i want hugs, drinking bird kissies
the knowledge that you panic too
at the thought of the end of us.

'put on your dancing shoes,
i got gasoline for two.'
and i still want a toxic-orange house bus.

but you live sideways
inside a crack
at the bottom of a canyon.
and you keep your headphones on.

(sometimes, i leave food out
and wait to see
if i can catch a glimpse of you
and of how things could be) .

but like the panda who starts capering
at the camera man when he turns
(oh - his tired back) ,
we'd get old near each other,
but completely apart.

two yellowing trinkets, encased in plastic balls
suspended in a bubblegum machine.
we are not 'we':
you will stay 'you', quite separate from me.

so why the panic? there's already no 'us'
turn around this musty bus!
they're out of fish and chips here
(just disappointed salt and some stranded vinegar) .