When You Come Again
when you come again or... will you come again how long has it been
how many months how many days hours/minutes/seconds
the emptiness stretches expands like a rubber band or...the land before me
which stretches to the horizon and then i can see no more except for the clear blue sky
still... i search the horizon for the dust that rises from your pony
i wait for your return nothing happens in between only the ticking of the clock
in years past so many thanksgivings prepare the turkey
put it on early tv on to watch the thanksgiving parade so many people
crowd along the streets balloons fly above sometimes cold
sometimes not commentators chatter constantly a relief when it is turned off
family and friends gather glasses tinkle toasts are made
wishes exchanged memories of other years other thanksgivings
the old songs are played on the phonograph church bells ring in the valley
drums from the pueblo fill the air cultures mix
cheery hellos waved across the way the news offers little promises
i step through the looking glass where all is new clear/resolved
i reach under my shirt place my hand on my breast feel my heart still beating
it does not ease the longing i wait for you will you come again
November 23, 2016
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Stretching the Truth
let's stretch the truth a little it must have been a million years since i saw you last
i remember a spring day way back in ancient times in your bed
a cozy cocoon you yourself was not a larva but seemed to be
just ready to become a butterfly and you did flew away
out the window into the sunlight free from what held you
free from pain i alone watched you go
knew your destination and now you wait for me
still the river of time rushes life doesn't stand still i try to keep up
try not to get stuck in the past my thoughts face forward yet sometimes
march backward with spyglass they look for you
November 23, 2016
7 comments:
At holiday times, especially, we remember other fuller gatherings. So many faces absent from the table now. We make do. But it doesn't stop the missing. Sigh.
I enjoyed the second poem, as well........that butterfly, who flew away too soon pings at my heart.
Both poems move me. But I sit with the second, "Stretching the Truth," and it hardly seems like an exageration. It's too exactly how I feel.
To me, When you come again brings together longing and the nostalgia of thanksgiving. It almost makes me think that you are not necassirly wondering if a person will return, but the next holiday (meaning we have survived another year). I'm probably totally off though.
Grief is a great muse, cruelly tempting us back in time to those days of love and togetherness and that touch just knowing they are there.
Both of these are so very poignant and powerful. Really moving writing, Annelle.
Such a beautifully moving write!
so very poignant...both poems.
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