Someone offered to sweep me off my feet
A series of dates to take my breath away
I wondered whether to do it
It's been a while since I let go
Gave someone a chance
To impress me.
I haven't been to fancy dinners
or to fun dog shows
Maybe I have let life pass me by
Not trusting enough
Or letting my guard down
They say the third time is the charm.
Am counting on a third date.

i always end up like this
no matter what type of event i'm at
sitting, alone, in the back
but this time, there
on the church basketball court
converted into a dancefloor
just as roughly as i also was converted
into a church dance attendee
in dark grey corduroys
and a crimson dress shirt
(missing a collar button)
not to mention a shave
(far too thorough, as i always am)
and a haircut by my uncles hand-
it was there,
that i was choking back tears,
tears caused by glancing up momentarily,
javing five or more beautiful girls
meet my eyes, and smile invitingly
(telling me to stand)
but still being unable to drag myself out of that chair
and walk over to them.
an inability caused by her,
the one i still love(d)
wherever she happens to be.
but, this inability to move
is not her fault.
we're over
and i'm a free man,
so i make my mind up,
wipe my eyes,
and stand;
rising to look at the faces
of the two who are telling me
to walk, to tap, to ask, to dance
and
without a word
i walk into that crowd
leaving them behind.
but
she's still here.
and, keeping that in mind
i enjoy myself
but every face
every conversation
dissolves,

as my footsteps do-

as the music does-

at the end of each song





©Brandon Webb
2012

I sit here
drinking six bag Bengal Spice tea
listening to Pandora
while my brother eats his breakfast behind me.
The song changes and I recognize it,
a little too well;
One Saturday at the Sequim food bank,
the only week he ever had me man the meat freezer
and not the bread room or dairy room.
I had to sneeze
So I took the back hallway
to stand among the shelves of toilet paper and soap.
She was taking a load out front-
soap and cans from the canning room.
She was singing this song
didn't see me standing on the other side of that shelf.
She had been the reason I started volunteering here,
or half the reason;
I wanted to volunteer and do something fulfilling
but I also wanted to learn her name.

This is one of the only times in my life
where I acted on impulse-
I started singing too,
my deep bass and her soprano creating a melody
that makes me want to skip this song
because it isn't the same.
But I listen to remember her reaction-
instead of walking away, stopping or sighing-
she kept singing, laughing just a little bit
letting me hear the smile on her lips.

She finished grabbing what she needed
and walked away, still laughing
still smiling as she walked into the hallway
(which was the only lit place back here)
and kept singing, even as she sat back at the front desk.
I returned to my position a minute later-
15 feet from her.

In ten weeks of volunteering there
that was the most we ever spoke to each other
and I wouldn't wish it any other way.

They round the tip of the hill jogging-
Him; 58, smiling, cheering her on.
Her; a student, beautiful in every regard-
words, body, face and mind,
an asthmatic
one of the worst cases I've seen.
She's choking on something,
or perhaps, the absence of something.
tears are welling up in her eyes and occasionally letting themselves go

Her name is strength

fighting to climb that last bit of hill without falling over
telling him every time he asks if she needs to stop
that she doesn't.

She crosses the line and we go inside
she falls asleep for a few minutes sitting there on the bleachers
letting her breathing return to normal.

Overwhelmmed with emotions
Complaints **** the soul
Fakes have the say manipulation
Beatings come back for more
Points not made
Lessons not learned
Burn it down
Not there or around
Replaced by another person
Fade away but not staying away
Mouths talking don't have a clue
Accuse of things never true
Let loose verbal abuse
Cut throat talk up the alley
Listened but nit caring anymore

Feel censored can't be
Blocked out from true emotions
All that's right feels wrong
The story being told grow old
Not holding a grudge
Friendships end grow apart
Don't care to be tied down
Single life no need for a wife
Not a parent of kids can't afford
Angered to hear others negative words
Talk comes from someone else
Power packed come backs
Moving forward not going back

I was the creator.
I molded you from my imagination.
You was the one.

I designed you to precise.
And had all measurements just right.
You was the one.

Your inside was just like your outside.
Your eyes would light up just like the sunshine.
You was the one.

Others wanted a copy like you.
But you was never meant to be designed for two.
To me that would be just cruel.

And when you spoke.
You did it elegantly.
Similar to an educated royalty.
You was the one.

I guess I left the more important thing out.
And that was the emotion of love.
Cause when I mention it.
You seem lost.
Yes, you was the one.

Until you fail apart like a robot.
And without love.
You really doesn't have a lot.

He planned it.
He designed it.
Layed out His structural plans.

The Word was first.
And it was with Him the mighty Creator.
And He was the word.

In Him was Us.
And all  power.
And He gave dominion to Us.
Over creatures upon His earth

He planted trees that were pleasant to our sight.
Especially the tree of life.
Yes, the Mighty Creator did all this.
It was humans that created the sinful mess.
But still he loves Us.

Without Him we are nothing.
Kings, Queens and Presidents are nothing more than pleasants.
We are obligated to love Him.
He sent a son in rememberance.
One, cherished the world over.
He's our Mighty Creator.

So , if we never see Him personally.
Remember, it was the Word that speaks highly of him.
Our God, Our Lord.
Who requested of us to place nothing above Him?
Remember this.
And you'll remember Him.

He was there in the beginning.
And He's there in the end.
Our Lord, Our God.

I admire you.
I'm inspired by you.
Constantly writing poems centered around you.
Your said, your friends wish they had a man like me.

That their problem and not mine.
You're the darling apple of my eyes.
For you I live and probably die.

I'm motivated by you.
Always trying to do the best I can do for you.
Constantly working to keep you happy.
I love your smile.
I love your eyes upon your lovely face.

You're the type of woman when I was young.
I use to think about.
Now, here you are.
The object of my heart.

Ask?
And it's given if in my power.
Seek.
And I'm there searching too.
Knock.
I'm there for you.
Yes, constantly.

You said, your friends wish I could be clone.
Well, that's not going to happen.
I'm yours and yours alone.

Some, would wonder why I say this?
But it spoken with seriousness.
You look lovely in the rain.
With it pouring down your face.

With your makeup smearing.
And your hair a mess.
You look lovely in the rain.

Your lips swivering.
And your body cold.
I'm your comfort of warmth.
Your umbrellas of love.

Come close and let's walk together.
Who needs the comfort of sharing a shower?
When we're having fun in the flow of God's shower.