burtlo

Two poems, exhumed from the dead of an old notebook with revisions.
Two poems, presenting two stories to provide some balance.


Codependent

I have failed to listen
I have turned my head aside
Your mouth moves to lip-synced words
Your words clichd with each passing lie

I have sold myself into this slavery
I have sealed my own fate
Your poorly dressed web holds me close
Your fallen promises taking a horrible misshape

I hold on because it's easy
I hold on out of fear
Hold on to naive dreams of true love
Hold on through every shed tear.

I am too weak now to struggle
I am too small now to leave
You have burned me through these trials by fire
You have bruised me more than I can believe.

Yet I hold on.

I have to hold on.


First Date

You candidly spoke between beautiful side glances, about life, love, and music.
You changed.
A boy with me on the phone and tonight on the front step.
A man now seated beside me in the car, across me at the table.
Between thoughts I think to thank you for letting me crash headlong into your life
Between stories and secrets we share a laugh, a smile, and a pregnant silence.
We reach for our glasses, your hand going for mine instead.
Our fingers dancing our hands together
It is then I notice my brittle, chipped nails before
Your clammy hand swallows my cold hand whole

Check please.

Outside, in the darkness, I find the confidence:
"I should go now,
But I'd really like it if you kissed me."
That same smile crossing that immeasurable distance.
That same hand reaching out for my hand.
And in that moment I pray:
Hold me in this night under the stairs, longer
Allow the cold to drive us to hold each other, closer
Let this kiss cause our love to grow, deeper
I pray never to sleep
I pray never to dream
Let me not let go
Of this night.