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In the Space Between

by Avril Shakira Villar


The light that flickers in her eyes is a mere hint of the beauty within.

My beloved folk, she is the steady hand when the world begins to spin.

She’s the laughter breaking through heavy rain.

The voice I turn into when I can’t handle the pain

Quiet nights and whispers are shared.

Secrets are kept hidden til' we open

Where it lies, safely bound

A spark of trust is profound.

 

When I become a caged spirit searching for flight

When the world feels heavy and my thoughts start to sink, 

My friend unexpectedly has turned into my shrink.

Listening without passing judgment.

Nevertheless, she managed to drive the storm away with her silence.

Time stands still, fleeting moments seizing tight.

A bittersweet taste flows through my tongue.

Now a part of me is etched within

 

She complemented what I lacked as an imperfect being.

For she always has our best interests in mind.

When I find myself at my lowest point, I know that no obstacles are too great for me to overcome.

This person knows me like the back of her hand.

Understanding exactly how much sugar I prefer in my coffee.

Just enough to reduce the bitterness and balance the dark with sweetness.

She knows exactly the warmth I crave.

Like the warmth of her words that always find me when I need them most.

She has experienced the flavor of my quietness.

The way I space out while deep in my thoughts, as usual.

But never so deep into my thoughts do I realize her coming.

It reminds me of my favorite things, such as,

The sound rain makes when it pours against a window.

Or the rhythm of an old song that can be heard in the distance.

 

Loving her is a lifetime course and a gift of responsibility.

She drew curves on my lips that lingered.

And so many 'first times' of my life occurred with my great buddy.

When I first realized what it meant to be seen,

Not in the form I was required to wear,

However, as I am unpolished and raw,

She also didn't turn her head away.

She stayed after seeing my soul.


This is not a love to be romanticized,

Not one of passion or heat,

But one that is steady and true

The kind of love that doesn’t burn you out but fills you up,

Over and over,

In the small, subtle ways

That only real friends understand.

 

In the midst of chaos, this love is the silent power. 

In a world that is constantly changing 

The kind of love that doesn't require extravagant displays 

Since the unspoken forms its foundation

The little deeds that accumulate over time

A knowing smile, a glance exchanged, 

Touches that speak louder than words could ever express.

 

We don't need to be anything other than who we are in this love. 

There's no need to hide the imperfections we worry are too noticeable or to seem fake. 

Because she already knows them, 

She continues to stand with me. 

My safe haven, my sanctuary 

A place where I can rest and breathe, 

Where I can just be me


 

Avril Shakira Villar is a writer and youth leader hailing from the Philippines. She is a mentee of the esteemed international organization WriteGirl LA and has been elected as the City Youth Vice Mayor of Zamboanga City. She has 5 published poems, 1 published song, and 1 published essay in various international literary magazines. She was the 2nd placer in the National Poetry Competition conducted by Under the Madness Magazine and applies her writing to her life and leadership journey.

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