Love Poem: I Do Not Speak French
Arch Ilagan Avatar
Written by: Arch Ilagan

I Do Not Speak French

pour it like the sun is dead.
but not
before shaking it well.

wait,
wat is je naam?
my father is half-Dutch.
stay with me, Martinique 
(that name tag is lovely)
I have not been happy.

little umbrellas tickle
my imagination -
Gibraltar or Ithaca
or Room 143 beside yours.

is this safe, Martinique?
fifteen proof is my ceiling
but I do not care.

look,
your skin ring matches mine.
sorry -

Ik ben blij,
but I do not speak French.