One.
I don’t hate love songs.
But I hate the way the muscles of my mouth
Coincide with every word of our favourite song
Consistently anywhere I hear it.
Two.
I don’t hate long walks.
But I hate the way I position myself
On the danger side of the alley without fail
Even when I walk with a stranger.
Three.
I don’t hate horror movies.
But I hate it when a scary scene comes up
And I only get to clutch the silky sofa
Instead of a comforting wet palm.
Four.
I don’t hate going out with friends on a Friday night.
But I hate it that a bossy
“Go home. Now.” text message
Won’t pop out during midnight.
Five.
I don’t hate kwek kwek.
But I hate it when I unintentionally
Order for two
And I end up eating both.
Six.
I don’t hate coffee.
But I hate the way I don’t wake up
To its persistent aroma
Brewing every rainy morning.
Seven.
I don’t hate entrances and exits.
But I hate the way people
Gaze at me awkwardly
When I always attempt to open the door for them.
Eight.
I don’t hate this number.
But I hate the way it reminds me
Of the months I waited, ugh no, wasted
For a single, “Yes!”
Nine.
I don’t hate my bed.
But I hate the way the other side
Isn’t wrinkled and I can hear
My own heartbeat with its quiet.
Ten.
I don’t hate you.
But, I hate the way you made me feel this way.
And eleven.
I don’t hate myself.
But, I hate the way I am happy
With those ten things.
