For all those who loved Leslie Cheung

In your memory

you hungered for love, drowning in it like a fish in the sea; how could you not feel the intense love of so many millions? yet it could not fill the gaping hole in your soul.

cautious, few glimpsed the man/child you so carefully hid away, convinced they would close their hearts against you if they saw your truth.

but when those who truly loved you saw their brokenness in you, their hearts melted; they would have died for you.

now they stand with empty hands, hearts brimming with longing to hear your voice speak their name once more, hold your warm body pressed against theirs and inhale the clean musk that was intimately yours

instead, they offer fragrant incense in your memory.