Best Poems Written by Nandana Nallapu

The Inbetweeners

Would you let me lie on your chest,
and listen to my narcissistic ramblings,
play with my hair while I do so
while I secretly trace your finger patterns. 

Would it make things awkward between us
if I ask you for a hug, one so fierce
one that lasts longer than twenty seconds
tell me, would it make things awkward

Would you stop asking why I just gaze at you
when I'm grappling with that question myself
Why, I wonder, I become a puddle
and melt at the sight of one silly smile

Would you notice anything about this
Of how I let you off easily than others
with all the annoying stuff that you pull off
I give myself migraines to find excuses to defend you

Would you know that even when I'm listening 
to people talk around me, its your silence
that registers acutely, my heart skipping a beat
yearning to hear that gratingly glorious voice of yours

Would you know this weird thing that I do
to evoke a maverick response from you,
that when it just lights up your face
I sit back and watch in secret fascination

Would you know this weird thing that you do
that makes people fall head over heals for you
while you go around making jokes, seemingly oblivious
to the growing puddle of melting hearts around you

Would you know anything about
this continual need to touch each other
or how difficult it is to tame down that
yearning of physical intimacy and desire

Would you see through the games I play 
Of trying not to see you for days 
and then, royally blow my self-respect off
by back-hugging you when I finally do.

Would you ever wonder about what we mean
to each other, would things be different
if we are to change ourselves to fit 
as we imagine ourselves to fit with others

Would it matter to us if we are 
more than friends and less than a couple, 
the misfit in-betweeners, swinging back and forth
just happy for this time together, now, in this moment.

Copyright © Nandana Nallapu | Year Posted 2015