I roll down the window in the back seat.
The wind feels so cool on my skin.
I sing softly so no one else can hear me.
I try to hide the mood that I am in.

I stare blankly out the window from the back seat.
Scenery blurs as the tears fill my eyes.
I cry softly so no one else can hear me.
I hide my sadness and my laughter feels like lies.

The wind through the window in the back seat,
it helps me quickly dry my tears.
I whisper softly so no one else can hear me.
Give me strength Lord and always keep me near.

I roll up the window in the back seat.
We're home the day is finally done.
My sister whispers no one hears except me.
I missed him too, you weren't the only one.

Breathless Conversation


       Oh do me --again

(You overwhelm me)

       Again and again

(I can't keep up)

       Coming again and split asunder

(I am too soft for now ---wait)

       Can't wait --come here!
       You own the wet spot

(Let me repose a while)

      Hurry while I'm here and now
      A visible slit in time  

(Let me rest my faculties)

     Remember the batteries
     Shake and bake



Copyright 2012-16
Richard L Ratliff

A Warm Sweater    

You are a warm sweater
I wear like a second skin
A warm gentle breeze that lifts
Away the melancholy
  
A nod, a glance, a kiss hello
Brings comfort
As I move through time
Yesterday today and tomorrow

Hand on your soft waist
Rubbing hip to hip
That swelling inflating light headed reverie
Half real, half imagined memories
As homemade perfect dreams

Visions of the night
Floating away like a kite
Making love in the clouds
Sharing a laugh and a smile for no reason

Simple shared joy of a song,
A dance, a hug, holding hands.
We are philosophers of our time
Floating in the moon's evening glow

Copyright 2013-16
Richard L Ratliff

I looked up and there you stood
A sparkle in your eyes
A smirk on your lips
You were as beautiful as I remembered

I looked a mess
Hair in a bun, no make-up
A dumbfounded look on my face
I didn't quite know what to say

You asked how I've been
Said you'd been thinking of me
You missed us
You never asked if I was with some one

I said I've been fine
I wasn't even lying
I hadn't thought of you in years
Still didn't quite know what to say

You asked for my phone number
Said you'd "hit me up"
We should get dinner some time
or maybe I could cook for you

That's when it all came rushing back
The way you used to look at me
when you wanted something
How hard it was to say no

You smiled at me
You actually leaned in
What were you thinking?
That I would allow it probably

I did not allow it
I knew how it would end
Didn't need to relive that episode
I finally knew exactly what to say

"No thanks, I'm good"
"Nice seeing you though"
And just like that...
Your beauty faded

You said "Just thought I'd be nice"
"but what ever, your loss!"
You showed your true self
and it was ugly

I just stood there and smiled
You couldn't hurt me
Not this time
This time I walked away

A skip in my step
A smile on my lips
Dignity intact
As I walked away

Poets are supposed to be deep
And I am stuck in a rut.

A blank screen
Is this the way it ends?
Just a blank video
Ctrl+ Alt+Del, Esc, Esc
It doesn't matter
The end

Copyright 2016
Richard L Ratliff

Even I didn't know why she acted the way she did
throwing out all the things we have loved and lived,
gone are the photos of happy smiles slowly faded,
gone are the pillows that formed a fortress of haven.

She threw everything out but she and I,
had kept one thing each, between the sky,
Between the ground that we walked on,
the life of one thing will always carry on
And that is the memories we shared.
The kiss that said 'somehow I cared',
the pieces of our heart like jigsaw puzzles
each missing the correct pieces and
our two pieces will forever remain separate.