Untitled, or, Unfinished

Dec 23, 2007 - 23:19 PM PST

untitled, or unfinished

i fell in love with her
as her hand fished almond biscotti
from a jar. the bangs stuck to her face
were drowning cattails in the mississippi backwaters.
no red-breasted blackbird soared territorily
between our space, inviting danger's attention
through nihilist swoops and caws to save the nest,
it was dry and obvious from the onset,
her posture, her eyes, the way she laughed--
sincerely, but not forcedly, the glow from getting
a scarf or mittins knitted just for you,
in a pattern you might hate, but still,
just for you. grinning through the darkness
with an arc in your spine, drinking up
the sweat as our limbs entwine, knowing
youll never be mine again, but praying
it will somehow happen anyway, an act of god.
i stare into your eyes and they gleam
of distant thoughts; i go on wondering
what you think you can live without.

there's a snap,
and she's back. she sees your face
as a stranger's. she touches you
with restraint and asks what's the matter.
she hopes for what you once abandoned,
but will never let it happen,
out of principle.