Unlocked.
I didn’t want jewels or furs or flowers or chocolates or cars or letters
All the things you said could be mine
I wanted your hand
But it was full of things you were doing
I wanted your kiss
But you were busy talking to others
I wanted your time
And that was something
Too precious, valuable
For you to ever part with
For such a silly pursuit as love
Could it be so much time has passed
Noone remembers that summer?
Walking through the woods
At the edge of town
Children’s laughter echoing amid treetops
I was but a child myself
Curious how you would go about slaying my dragons which I had imagined but didn’t realize you thought were real
I was not ready for the single, beautiful flower you gave me that day
And how I wish I could take back the surprise and confusion which shown on my face when you were just looking for acceptance
How it pained my young soul to see that glimmer in your eye waver
How I wanted to fix that bridge that led from innocence to awareness
We didn’t stop talking that summer
And I am so glad we ran into each other in the fall
I didn’t want you to go
I was a child and didn’t understand
Why I wanted to draw you nearer
But by winter you were gone
I found out while dancing
And I couldn’t stop
But my heart cracked
All over that icy street
Leaving me without breath
For days, weeks
I’d never again be able to ask anyone to slay my dragons
Or see rugged pines
Without thinking of that summer
And you
Walking felt like gliding
Wind sweeping slowly through my hair
Carrying the heady scent of roses
Only a sliver of moon shone
Lighting the way
On the long forgotten path
Hedgerows hid the night fairies
Stars held lovers’ secrets
I only had to walk to you to make it all true
We’d laugh at the stories
Sing to the sweet night music
Dance to the wind
I must be getting close
My heart is gaining a staccato beat
While my breath is just out of reach
Will it always be like this
My thoughts scattered to other planes
When I think of you
There is the glow of home
Just ahead and I am so full
With warm thoughts on this summer night
Studying the curve of her face, following each lock of hair as it brushed her shoulder, he sat quietly and listened.
Learning the patterns of crinkles his eyes made as he smiled, glancing at his strong hand as it rested on the table, she savored a captive audience.
They were made for each other, but didn’t seem to know it. Without instructions, they were a bit lost. With all that’s properly acceptable in the world requiring manuals, people were forgetting how to act upon instinct.
Scent. Flavor. Touch.
The eyes can only behold a modicum of information. What these people need is a firm push out of their heads.
As if shaken from a daydream, she finished her story and smiled. He returned her smile and took her hand. They sat quietly, listening to their hearts.
The ache goes so deep
it hurts
to look out at the bright sunshine
I am startled to find there’s still feeling
when my toes start to tingle
and my breath catches
despite itself
And in a rush I see your face
hear your voice
expecting you to call any day
You left your hat
as if you were coming back
But the clean water
and green, green fields called you
You will be at home there
Where there is beauty
and laughter and song
Where great playwrights are outshined
by the simple words of children
I want to come too
but I’m not ready
not done yet with the darkness and misery here
But soon we will embrace
and it will be as though no time
has passed
So until then
I will miss you and your smile and your hugs and your ideas and your presence
The Word Rummager 