I had a vision of you at my bedside
just checking on me?
I tried to wake but couldn't as you touched my gown
and gazed at my face.
Behind my closed eyelids
I felt your love, that you used to give sporadically.

Because you see in Black & White
And I see in Color.

I phoned you the next morning in the rain,
on my way to care for those dying.
The fight gone from your voice,
and too early to think of all the reasons not to speak with me,
you said I love you too.
I know and knew this to be true
that which keeps us apart is that you see
in Black & White and I see in Color.

I called to say I love you, miss you
here if you need me.
You're my responsibility too.
Although you acknowledge my utterances,
you were afraid to act on them.
Because we know
that you see in Black & White
and I see in Color.

We know this isn't about faith,
really it's because I've always seen in Color
and you in hues of grey.
It was nice to see you at my bed
even if a dream, but isn't it ironic?
Dreaming only in shades of Black & White
When the spectrum of the Highest
Al Khaliq created Color

Winter 2020