Obstacle Course/Pete The Cricket Poem by Meny Alonso

You must have passed me by
Because I smelled you
I know it was your scent
That made me turn around
The cricket on my shoulder whispered
Don’t! Just let him pass

He said to let you pass and
Immediately, I turned around.
I followed your air
Up stairs and through doors,
A hummingbird after his flower
(I could have let you pass)

The cricket on my shoulder said
Stop! Please let him go
I wonder what it was
The tone of his voice or
His weight on my shoulder
That made me press on
With more urgency than before

I pushed through crowds
Stifled by smells mingled with yours,
But I knew who I was looking for.
The cricket on my shoulder said
Turn around now, and let him go!
And I did hear him, louder than before.

My heart raced the rest of me to you
As I stumbled blindly, breathlessly
Ignoring his voice, inside me now
Screaming, pulling at me
Turn back now, while there’s still time!
And I did listen, but I’d come so far.

Then I saw you and all at once I knew
You are not mine anymore.