(much) Too Much Poem by Effie Yalena Steyn

We’re moving at the speed of light,
this beaming endless never
Regretting path through life
and love and loss, it flashes past before
We can grasp a single second, electron,
feeling, memory.
Assaulting sensuality, emotions an angry torrent
of what is not allowed
Vindictive pleasures are created in a matter
of minutes, of characters of words
Of truth and pain and hurt and revenge,
oh loving revenge.
Much too much has happened between us,
for there to ever be a way back.
I hope you understand.
We’re moving at the speed of light,
going places far away not returning
not pretending not expecting brilliance,
but opulence earned and success reaped and
piece by paper piece our lives fall into shape
and yours is burnt at the edges.
Signatures, insubstantial as they seem,
carve the stones from quarries from hills
from our countries, our countries where we prosper.
We can live a heartbeat, wingspan,
eyeroll, horsehair,
Missing out on nothing, creating, inviting,
extending curling hands into all we own.
Incredulous eyes gazed up and watered
as your truths, your slimy good-for-nothing
Deeds were detailed, and you lost your last soldier.
Much too much has yet to happen between us,
for there to ever be reason to say.
I hope you understand.