It would’ve helped if I knew from the get-go
that I wasn’t the one you saw yourself with down the line.
You were the only plan I have…I had.
I’ve swam deeper waters than this,
I’ve always found the shore.
I’ve tunneled out of darker holes,
healed from deeper cuts before;
climbed myself out of steeper cliffs,
skin to bone, my muscles sore.
Now my heart’s been badly broken,
thrown to fester in a moor,
I draw the strength of all my past
to find an open door.
I’ve worn and weathered many hurts
I’ll live through many more.
You have been running after me,
and I’ve been running after you.
It’s always been this crazy chase
a race made for two.
I’ve been growing tired
But to stop, I’m afraid to do.
What if you are running away
And I’m just chasing after you?
We are standing on the precipice
of something truly spectacular.
The compelling anticipation is
almost too much to bear.
And eyes have seen and lips have spoken
a future both bright and quite fragile
So I must wait with steadfast faith,
with deliberate care.
I picture your face as I draw breaths,
willing patience as you to come to the
inevitable conclusion of which
I am fully aware.
We are a union made to exceed
the vastness of all universes.
Take my hands, hold my heart, dear
Let me take you there.
This was our bench
in the middle of the park
where I’d lay on your lap,
reading a book
as you shielded my eyes
from the sun.
This was our tree
where you carved our initials.
You’d strum your guitar
and I’d hum along
as we shared sandwiches
and wishes.
This was our bed
with your sweat and saliva
on the pillow.
I’d bury my nose in it,
your scent made me
dizzy with delight.
This was our life
and it was just ours
before it was any one else’s.
Once upon a time,
I had your heart
before it was any one else’s.
I will love you again and again
For as long as I can.
I will fold space for you so that
I can love you in all dimensions.
I will love you in tessellations
With no gaps and no overlaps.
I will love you in all configurations
In all colorations.
So that wherever you are
And wherever I am,
You will never feel in want
Or in doubt
Of the constancy of my love.
Let your face be the first thing I see
In mornings, bright and sunny,
Let it remind me of easy days
And holidays.
Beneath thunderstorms and dreary skies
Let me stare into your eyes
And find in them a steady bay
Where I can stay.
Amidst the grueling work week rush
As I toil and grind and mush
I will trust that I find my way
To your arms each day.
And as the sun surrenders to the moon
And darkness begins to loom
Let your kisses sweep me far away
In your arms, I end this day.
You know that feeling—
When you witness the soft light of the sun’s first rays,
Or the glorious pearl luminescence of the full moon
And it’s baiting you to take
That perfect Instagrammable shot
But you don’t take it…
You’re not even tempted.
Because there’s someone beside you
Who takes your full attention
And he’s the only one you want to
Share that moment with…
That’s love.
You’ve forgotten
And they’ve forgotten
And the world has moved on
And for your eyes, I moved on with it.
I laughed as if my shattered heart
Was finally mended.
I nodded along to all your stories
So that you wouldn’t feel obliged to be concerned
Or to talk about me in hushed tones.
But the truth is (and this I will never admit)
That I loved with all my heart and lost
And that is something that I will never forget.
Make Room for Poetry 