Sweltering

The old man looked at me
And talked about the timeless adage
About having fire in your eyes, and he said
"You kid, your eyes are just burning."
And then I woke up
And my irises were sweltering
But I shook my head
"No," I said,
"You’re wrong. I don’t have bad dreams
And I don’t talk in my sleep
That is for people
Who give all their secrets away
Willingly."

He told me I was wrong
That he was there the night she came in
Stumbling up the stairs
Talking about lovers who never loved her
And he heard my cries from the sleeping world
Because while not awake, I knew

He was there the night
I tossed and turned from missing you
And I reached out grasping
And I could not find your hand
So I picked up a pen
And I wrote quickly
All the things
We never
Got
To
Say

And I said, "No,
That is for people that give all their secrets away."
"There is fire in your eyes."
Yes;
I am burning
Cold skin,
Warm heart
"I know," I said.
I know.

At Least When I...

At least when I feel, I feel unequivocally,
Can’t nobody hurt like I can

At least when I cry
I cry unabashedly
And I look at you brazen eyed
Daring judgment on a life you’ve never known
Daring words of comfort that might fall short
But would be brave enough to make me believe in you

At least when I laugh
I laugh loudly
Echoing
Letting the waves roll from my diaphragm
And sing the sound of my joy
Daring you to call my humor uncouth
And judge intentions that aren’t yours
Daring you to overlook politically incorrect words in a way that
Might wound your character
But would be kind enough to make me want you

At least when I explain an anecdote halfheartedly
I have hope
That you will ask a question you have no right to
That borders on the edge of the personal
Where I could meet and deny you
But would be brash enough
To intrigue me

Nicole's Poem

Nicole wrote this. I'm keeping it for her because she usually throws her stuff away and wants it later, so I figure this way the poem is safeguarded.


I wish you knew how such a beautiful person you are, quirky and sometimes magical
I wondered if you know you have a special way with people,
And that sometimes when you look at me I get goosebumps and butterflies
You’re paralyze me with your moist brown eyes,
the ones that may not be particularly pretty but deep and emotional.
You’re someone I needed, you’re someone I wanted,
How beautiful you are to me, I must love you.
You’re the fabric that keeps me together, when I feel myself falling apart.

I want you to know how extremely funny you are,
The way you can get the most difficult crowd to loosen up
You’re brave and sentimental, and courageous and nice.
And you’re someone I needed, you’re someone I wanted,
How beautiful you are to me, I must love you.
You’re the fabric that keeps me together.
I wondered if you know how you collected my soul, and lift my spirits,
You’re nerving and never pompous,
And that sometimes when you look at me my legs go into jelly and my face is red as a rose
I wish you knew how wonderful your existence is,
How you are a cluster of hope and faith for me,
And you’re someone I needed, you’re someone I wanted
How beautiful you are to me, I must love you.
You’re the fabric that keeps me together.

You have wrapped your arms around me with the most broadened smile I have ever seen.
You have loved me from the very core of my existence.
My flaws shine through my exterior, but you see through my flesh and my inner me.
You are a sunset and a twilight,
The silver moon in a shimmering burst of stars in the sky,
You’re the jelly colored sun in a sunrise,
The magic in the air when two lovers meet,
The miracle in my shadowy being.
You’re everything sincere to me,
You’re someone I need, you’re someone I want,
How beautiful you are to me,
You’re the fabric that keeps me together,
even when i feel myself fall apart.
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