There have been a lot of people I’ve spent time with this summer, and many of them I didn’t expect would become people I love with much affection. You are one of them. Tonight I feel a little distracted and my words aren’t quite flowing right, but I hope you’ll bear with me.
To the maple red man who finds himself in sticky situations, I wasn’t surprised when you told me you didn’t know my name. We hadn’t really interacted in our years at university together, but I do remember seeing you around from time to time. Not much to form any opinion though. But in the recent times I have gotten to know you, I have found such joy in the truthful conversations we’ve had. You are easy-going but also responsible, and I think it’s a rare quality – being able to balance the two. You are not at all difficult to talk to and I also see that you take the time to think and form an opinion before speaking. It’s those little moments of wisdom and casual chatter I really appreciate.
Like viscose golden syrup, you get stuck and stumble over your words. I have heard you recite poetry and I get excited because it’s during those times I see your spoken potential. One day, I believe you can be of a single-press maple syrup quality – sweet but also lighter and something that flows more like water. In the sun, you are a brilliant and rich colour, and when the sun goes down and the fairy lights come out, you take in the atmosphere and become this muted maple red. Though, I think my perception is a little biased, given that I associate you with a particular shirt colour I see you wear a lot – or at least, I remember you wearing this colour on a certain night in the city.
I find you are quite inconsistent with your nights; sometimes you are asleep, as you should be; but there are other times, during the hours you should be asleep, that you will talk to me. I’m not sure what prompts you to share certain things at certain times, but I am glad you trust me enough to share all these things with me. Perhaps it’s because we share similar experiences and, from that, similar pain. I just wish I knew what to say to make you feel better, but sometimes the words won’t come out. I suppose, just listening is enough for now.
I hope that, one day you’ll find yourself in a place where you can look back and smile – perhaps a bittersweet one, but one where you can say goodbye to the melancholy you continue to carry around. You’re too hard on yourself.
Just know that I will be here to listen and to lament with you. Anytime you need.
水 