I have never met you
But I know you
We bare our souls like lovers
We are text messages and video chats,
Possibilities,
Fantasies without consequence,
But something on the edge
I love you
But I will never meet you

Sitting on the bench
Spring sun slowly warming
Years in my thoughts
A duck rushing up with anticipation
But I have nothing
Life is like that

Sitting on a bench by the river,     alone,                                                     deep in thought, wondering,
Soul stretching back, delving into the years, and then,
You.
May I join you?
Years on your face, like me, but the smile and the light of you instantly draws me in, my heart racing, but all I hear is the river and your voice and I embrace it, the beauty of another human being drawing me into their life.

Why did I?
Why did you?
Why didn't we?
No. Not today. Not today.

Do you know?
Your heart breaking waves in your mind
The sweat cold on your skin
The denial that grips your soul
as you have always denied it
again and again, but
your mind betrays your breath
the terror descends,
the terror
I'm going to die!
I'm   GOING   TO    DIE!
but then
The first rays of the sun
Time to live

Joy.
And terror.
Retirement.
19 days to the end.
50 years of work.
Death row inmate counting down to oblivion?
Teenager counting down to summer vacation?
Joy and terror.

I met a lady
she burns with life
rages against the relentless years
proclaims victory against the subtle decay
but builds a wall of hidden fears

I met a Lady
ravaged in youth
fought for every minute of life
brought her children to Heavens gate
but hesitates to face the truth

I met a Lady
who burns with fire
yearns for one more glimpse of love
dreams of one more shining knight
one last act of hearts desire.

I met a Lady
rises for the break of day
soundless chuckle for girlish dreams
his face fading with sober thoughts
one more soul who cannot play.

My friends
bring the calm
draw the pain and crush the dark
make me laugh and share my grief
make me live
make me whole
complete

know time
know you
love you
stop time?
no time.

She is
new and terror, a wonder,
child all hunger.
She is
lost, decades past,
rediscovery, a father aghast to
rediscover her, new once again,
love overwhelming.
What could have been?

Countless inches that are miles
It's shell a burden for life
The turtle walks on