SURFACES

By Jeffrey V. Tolentino

Are surfaces enough to earn me love?

Will a brown, wood-like eyes make me your need,

And an ivory-white skin name me your passion?

If so, how easy it is to be loved!

But, then, what would I require of you in return?

And are materials already enough too?

Will you favor them over my character

When solely on character one is judged,

Or even over a mind that gives one claim to humanity?

Would you rather have all these?

All these and none of any word,

Or any breath, or any movement,

Or any part of my very soul.

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