Coming Up For Air Poem by alan pieterse

...let me see,

the ways i love thee, , ,

to let go, to climb that tree

although i have always been

afraid of heights.

to run, barefoot, splish-splash

at the water's edge, being silly

(a different kind of hill-billy..)

carving your name in the sand,

then cry a silent tear when

the tide's remorseless march,

erased your excistence,

leaving there just a smooth

canvass of sand....

If i could, i would

write your name boldly

in the sky and shout out....

for her, i would die.

you are the firefly

in my heart...

lighting those dark corners

where my soul so often hides.

I drink the words from your lips,

with an eagerness that

is almost desperate...

slaking the parched and arid soul.

But when i look around,

i see those dull, uncomprehending faces,

staring,

their unspoken accusations, like a loose

stone in your shoe, probing, chaffing.

All i want to be,

to be with you.

to be with you, so

i can find me.

Words lie stillborn,

heavy and foul,

when all i wanted to say,

to whisper,

to shout

i love you........................