ating my life to these elements, for family and country,

leaves little for myself in return.

It's why I indulge in a no-strings hookup with a handsome stranger

mere days before heading half-a-world away.

Except one night turns into a week-long fling,

creating a connection at the most inopportune time.

And neither of us want it to end.

Staying in touch is easy at first, but dwindles to

radio silence and distant memories as time passes.

I didn't expect him to reemerge in my life months later,

now belonging to someone else.

It should be enough for us both to walk away.

To push down this relentless, aching want.

But we don't...

We can't.

Because the heart always wants what it can't have.