'What Else Is Hollow?'

By Vidya Koesmahargyo

I seek out that deep, blue
light at dusk, when it feels like all the air
around me have decided to hold me hostage
and bind me to the earth by its wet pavement

I love out of inconvenience, out of gore and horror, the smell
of me bleeding all over the carpet
listen, we get it, theres some people you just can’t change
no matter how much you love them
there is a difference in our religions, any life
except for my own I wouldn’t take for granted
listen, we get it,
you’d rather kill your body than be forsaken

I know I’m not the only one with a strict observance
of whatever I’ve put my faith in, such as:
palpable things, closing your eyes in pleasure,
the soft smell of longing, every instance of weight
put on you like an intention
nothing’s a promise, we get it,
it gets worse before it gets better,
everything worthwhile left for interpretation