November 6, 2000
By Kristine Ong Muslim

It is only the absence of rain
And all the best things in life.
They unfold like waves,
Merciless and beautiful.
They never fail not to resemble you--
you and your wonderful emptiness.

All this time
Maybe you really belong to them,
The waves, I mean,
And I can never reach you
If you choose to go with them.

I am 21 years old and currently taking up a degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of the Philippines. I have published stories in 3 AM Magazine, Dark Moon Rising, and a smattering of poetry in a local publication.