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GEOFF TOPHAM

a

"Forbidden Fruit"

'GET-boy’:

it was a snowy tuesday. last call had obviously passed.
we ventured out to buy 24 hour bananas and lemons.
and there my forbidden fruit stood across the Street.

you looked like a small James Dean as you turned
to shelter the lighting of your cigarette
from the bitter breath of winter.

it was in the gesture, as it always is.

for as you swayed in the stagger of your step
my happiness thrived on your apparent loneliness.
and in that instant everything had changed.

unaware of my presence, i knew
you had passed me by-by choice.

silence seemed to be my best option
as previous attempts of compassion
you've only reflected as frivolous flattery.

i longed to hear "i miss you", again.
or say i walked by your place, again.
but the echo of two pathological liars
had set in. and worn thin.

how elaborate, though gaudy, the enormous frames
we display the tiny pictures of our insecurity.

far too similar, yet worlds apart.

and distancing.

'GIVE-boy'

TUFF 89

4

_agommnannn re

City of Flowers, Part III

I am a Soldier

from the battle of the wars
wounded

with a Sliver

in .my heart

defeat, we retreated

back home to the City of Flowers
blooming and shivering

fields .of gory

a hundred soldiers

with slivers dividing

the heartland

soldiers to the left
soldiers to the right
brothers in arms
we were the same
unfulfilled love
pouring from us all

Kevin Louis

"Average Mirage"

dance

in my heart

while appetites linger
the choice becomes torn
fear-of-fear-of-intimacy
outweighing desire

the risk of rejection
hides behind a mask

of friendship lost.

so eyes close

while reality distorts
we appear together
drenched on desert sand

with an imprint of
your brief touch
somewhat nervous
softly cautious

we part into the night.
wondering when _
another chance

to dance.

TUFF 89 | F

rast 5:
a8 gad ‘

"Forbidden Fruit”

'GET-boy’:

it was a snowy tuesday. last call had obviously passed.
we ventured out to buy 24 hour bananas and lemons.
and there my forbidden fruit stood across the street.

you looked like a small James Dean as you turned
to shelter the lighting of your cigarette
from the bitter breath of winter.

it was in the gesture, as it always is.

for as you swayed in the stagger of your step
‘my happiness thrived on your apparent loneliness.
and in that instant everything had changed.

unaware of my presence, i knew
you had passed me by-by choice.

silence seemed to be my best option
4s previous attempts of compassion
you've only reflected as frivolous flattery.

4 longed to hear "i miss you", again.
or say i walked by your place, again.
but the echo of two pathological liars
hhad set in. and worn thin,

how elaborate, though gaudy, the enormous frames
we display the tiny pictures of our insecurity.

far 100 similar, yet worlds apart.

and distancing.

'GIVE-boy’

TUFF 89

City of Flowers, Part IIT

1am a soldier
‘from the battle of the wars
wounded

with a sliver

in my heart

defeat, we retreated
back home to the City of Flowers
blooming and shivering

‘fields of gory

‘@ hundred soldiers

with slivers dividing

the heartland

soldiers to the left
soldiers to the right
brothers in arms
we were the same
unfulfilled love
pouring from us all

Kevin Louis

"Average Mirage”

dance
in my heart

while appetites linger
the choice becomes torn
fear-of-fear-of-intimacy
outweighing desire

the risk of rejection
hides behind @ mask

of friendship lost.

50 eyes close

while reality distorts
we appear together
drenched on desert sand

with an imprint of
your brief touch
Somewhat nervous
softly cautious

we part into the night
wondering when
another chance

to dance.

TUFF 89