Five Year Plan

I love you. You love that which cannot be.
Where you love capacities, I love shortcomings.
Where you love pride, I love how the fragile can break
in my arms. You love courage. I, weakness now /
and then.

You love the future. I, that which is past.
Whereas you love the hundred lives you wanted to live,
I love the one which is left over and thus
the way you can be so far away pressed /
close to me.

I love what is. You, what should be.
Do you love me. I love you.

- Herman de Coninck