Modern Love Poems: This Space Between Us by Shrutee Choudhary

[Note from Frolic: We’re so excited to welcome poet Shrutee Choudhary back to the site. She’s sharing more of her breathtaking modern love poems with us!]

4. physical distance could die

with a drive, a train ride, a flight

with shaking of hands, a hug, a kiss

emotional distance needed more though

the breaking of invisible walls

to expose your vulnerabilities

to get those frightened words to climb 

up your neck, into your mouth

then to free fall into their custody

the trembling words, unaware of their destiny.

this space between us

has us in a state of stillness

emotions are the only glue

and when it’s impossible to be with you

now more than ever

you and I, talk with greater ease

until morning light knocks 

on our windows

as if to tease

and when the rest of the world

sees only distance 

all we see is each other. 

5. who knew touch could be the most menacing thing, lethal in so many ways, yet here we are 

in the confines of our homes, away from the little things we’ve always

taken for granted.

how many times did you take hold 

of my hand and I let go to swipe through my phone? 

how many times did I shirk off your hug thinking we’d have 

so many moments to be close. 

how many times did I choose not to tell you how I love

the way you laugh into your palms or a pillow — it’s almost like your happiness suffers from stage fright but I have a one way ticket to your cinema and I could watch you forever.

how much I love the warmth of your breath

on the nape of my neck, when you embrace me from behind, like a shawl in the chilliest of winter, the feel of your lips 

and how much I love it 

when our bodies find a way to touch 

like they slumber in a magnetic field and there is no other way to be. 

I tell you now in the clutches of uncertainty

that I will never take for granted 

the close proximity of you, a gathering with my friends, holding of hands, hugs. longest hugs.

and the ultimate liberty to be in the outside world, the touch of grass and the sight of a beach, the feel of sand and sea meeting. 

sitting at a coffee shop, smiling at complete strangers

and them smiling back 

with the knowledge of sameness

and the relief of survival

for now I wait in anticipation

dressed in yearning skin.