#atomic love

the smallest particles of my being

the very fibres of who i am

what i am comprised of

is an atomic love

in small actions

to smaller mannerisms

a treasure trove of things i myself do not remember

lies hidden in my mind, and under my bed.

i kept every wrapper you left behind, every piece of paper you touched

and though large gifts, there were many

what struck my heart

was that atomic love.

from notes you left me

from flowers you pressed between my books

from letters and poems we wrote

it flowed and fused with my fingertips

and slowly coloured my skin once more.

and as the little love seeped

with every kiss on the hand

with every gentle finger through my hair

i radiated your love wherever i went, everywhere

and after songs you sung filled my ears

after i knew your routine better than my own

when every ray of sun and moon reminded me deeply of you

i realised i had become enveloped by your care

as if for once i was an oasis in someone's desert.

and now i find that, i know what it feels like

to be cherished.

and i promise to cherish you the very same way.

Illya Chichkan Atomic Love, 2002

Video by Ilya Chichkan “Atomic love”, where people in protective suits imitate sexual intercourse against the background of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, with which Ukraine is associated abroad.