Between Us

They say
there is a country between us.

I disagree.

There is only waiting.

The miles may separate
our hands,
but they have never learned
how to separate
our hearts.

Some nights,
I reach for my phone
the way others
reach for a hand.

Your name appears,
and suddenly
the distance feels
a little less cruel.

I miss you
in the smallest ways.

In sunsets
I cannot share with you.

In quiet mornings
that should have begun
with your smile.

In every heartbeat
that whispers,
"Soon."

If love
were measured by closeness,

perhaps we would have failed.

But love
is measured by choosing.

And every single day,

without hesitation,

I choose you.

One day,
these countries
will become memories.

Your embrace
will replace the empty space
beside me.

Until then,

I will keep loving you
across every border,
every ocean,
every lonely night,

because no map
has ever been powerful enough

to tell my heart

where it cannot go.