I wish I could hold

that baby behind me

in the grocery store checkout.



I wish I could keep

the poem you typed up

on your typewriter for me

that you lost on our first

meeting.



I wish you could grasp

the soft embers

that glow beneath my cold cheeks

whenever you say

"ace".



Sometimes

if the modd discovers my cowering,

I wish you could hold me





and whisper.