May 29, 2021
mahal ko,
on this day last year,
I was in America,
not knowing when I’d be
in your arms again
when the borders stayed
closed, we both
cried
+ I began making
a home in
your heart
as you further opened
your heart to me, I found
a wave of love overflowing,
sinking
deep
into
my
soul
filling
in the cracks
of where I had
broken
giving me
the strength
to stand
there on
my own
over our year
apart
I filled
each room
in your heart
with fond memories
of us + looked
at them each day
like the time
we prayed
together
on our first date--
the Manila city lights like shimmering
stars
spilled
from the night sky
as I listened to you talk
to God in your mother tongue
from Tagaytay
up above
+ finally, 3 months ago
I came back
to your dreamy island country,
by the grace of God
+ it’s by the grace of God
that I will walk
before you now,
as your bride,
with arms + heart wide
open, + it will be for good
I’ve been making
a home in your heart,
mahal ko, + I’m ready to cross
the threshold, + come
home
to you
I’m coming
home
for good
Tagalog Words:
*mahal ko = My love
*This poem was written for my fiancé as a gift before I walked down the aisle to be his wife on our wedding day: May 29, 2021*
