To Gabriel

I will not mind with a mere description
both spoken and written word
meaningless
They are able to persist over the years
They do not teach nor transcribe in feelings
all that only the retina captures
light and shadow, contrast and brightness…
his shirt Sonic Youth
the way he sat at the foot of the stairs
living nature that surrounded
his simple and childish smile.

Under lenses and filters
none of this would change your heart
and the way he sees
maybe I like to think that this is so
you have a kind of myopic beauty
which is slowly turning out clear and limpid
without outbursts of hysterical passion
you are real, like your faults
the specks of your skin, your hair wavy
you do not need to become an ideal unattainable
I can idealize it perfect and pure yet
apart from aesthetic considerations
maybe you think I’m bad taste
I need glasses, it is deluded
but I honestly love your bad mood
their sadness and even their self esteem issues;
maybe you think I clung too much to the past
I mix feelings and memories
and I lost control of my timeline
I’m stuck to the memories of which I can not disentangle myself…
just like your photo
safe from any hedonism
of all the evils of this world
in my heart you will never perish.

Build a home within me for you
and is next to the childhood memories
beliefs and hopes and nurturing with respect to a better future
a safer even than the house of their fathers
It is where I will always guard you.

Encased in stardust
his brown eyes and uncertain
shatter windows and my common sense
as fallen leaves, the years pass
and only acts remain
the things we believe and strive to keep alive
yes, we need to nail him grounded in reality
but do not let it consume him entirely
life from the womb to the last breath
It is staged in four acts
and you need to prepare for everything
what is yet to come.

Work hard, build their own concepts
base is always the right reasons
and do not let it override your power of choice
breaks with barriers and stigmas and learn to listen to yourself
give life to your projects
and you need to give up something so do not be shy
open your brain and heart
and do not let your inner child die.

Read these words inscribed in the wind
condensing into rain to fall in your yard
I might create a lot of expectations
perhaps my nature is prone to self-destruction…
but from doubt, I will always prefer to believe
the existence of a good heart
actually hidden between the lines
that one day was really special
(And I hope not disappoint me about it)
because everyone wants to love as a common good
and principle of all is that visible, credible, and unchanging
as well as their 15 or 16
which remain intact
in nature recorded by artificial eyes
just like my love
which remains imperishable, immutable, and intact waiting.

—By Mariana F., 23, São Paulo, Brazil