we are soldiers, right?
comrades, always there for each other
no one was watching us, right?
it was just you and me in the middle of the night
you said it would be quick, right?
your words were sweating behind my ears
you started leaning closer, right?
a little closer, a little closer
our lips touched for the first time, right?
those crusty, salty peaches bursting with flavor
i tasted your tongue, right?
it simmered with saliva, marinated in alcohol
your hands were all over me, right?
down my hair to my jaw to my neck to my
we peeled off our uniforms, right?
our clothes like shed skin, sinking to the floor
you pressed your chest against mine, right?
the warmth of your touch sent ripples down my spine
your hands slid beneath my trousers, right?
slowly unsheathing the loaded pistol
i held you at gunpoint, right?
you pulled the trigger inside your mouth
but we said we wanted this, right?
heavy breaths as white blood dripped on my skin
we are comrades, right?
tomorrow will just be another day
Julio Jacinto lives in Davao del Sur.