You took a red balloon by the string
And led it deep into the woods.
  You snipped the string from around your wrist
   With the switchblade I didn't know you had
    And let the balloon float away.
     You turned your back and didn't watch it fly away,
      So you wouldn't know that it didn't fly very far.
       The string tangled in the branches of an oak overhead.
        You didn't see it; you were already gone.
         I had once had a red balloon;
           I could have one again.
            I climbed into that oak tree after it.
             Wrapping my other three limbs around the branch,
              I reached my right hand for the string.
               It came undone easily beneath my inquisitive fingertips.
                I tied it to my own wrist.
                 It reached for heaven,
                  And carried me along with it.

Remember when
every touch
      with all its intention
was a kindness
      Tender like our lips
      at first kiss,
deeply
in one another's eyes

      seeing with feelings
      discovery past the weight
      of fevered flesh,

a dervish flight
through those walls
      layered with doubts as heavy
      as the stones
we now turn our hearts into...

Remember when
every word
      was lovingly spoken

uplifting wisdom
like feathers, wings:
      the soft music of our mouths

      when life is floating
lanterns
and we briefly are a/part
you still have me
soar...

And when we're finally as one
whole, a hearth warm,
and ****
      those wet silences
      become undulating music
                      the times we demure
our mouths still drinking, singing
instilling lessons
      within depths : the heart's thirst

which only absolute certainty
      calms and quenches...

keeps alight and so on
carrying on
      knowing tomorrow will come
      yet when I'm with you
I am new...
even in the dark
your star is born.


Remember when
in the break of morning
      when eyes open from trenchant sleep
      (better than adrift or hollow)
remember how stunning the view

      inhale surprise to waking life's wonder
a/part as the wars pain and riot

fearlessly I say
                depart and drink
the rain
         freedom love
sky and eyes
         will awake...


And if we have yet to meet
since I know
      Truth and believe in Love,

when I fall for you
      Thank all the heavens, vast
I fell for you
                                              I will fall up...

Because I remember
now
it's you
      Lovely      loving       love
who fills my very cup

floating in the drink
of us.

*(God how I love you.)

I hope it’s okay
There are teachings and learnings here
Or something
I think pain can be good
Hurt.
Is beautiful
There are deep connections
And share-ings
- So that’s okay, isn’t it?

You remind me of Luke
A tortured soul
Deep deep feelings
I’m curious
Peel back the layers
I should have just been his friend
He needed something
But not a lover to resent
And lose

You would sacrifice
Too much
In the end it could be
Worse
Slashing. Fizzling. Breaking.
I’m cautious:
You might tip-
Over
Like he did.

Keep yourself.
Uphold your values
Your true strength is there somewhere
Hiding in fear of rejection
You’ll shine so so bright!
Glean an enjoyment from life
He did not.

I’ve  been on a buzz
Running, running, running
Covering over
The deep sorrow
Contrast to the extreme excite
Mournful
I am empty
Hollow

No one else will fill you up
That’s a love and care you have to give yourself

I’ve been trying to work through all this
Maybe you
And the reminders
Are teachers
A chance for reconciliation
Maybe the girl with the red balloon
Needs to let it go.