My Relationship With You

I give
and you take
I give
and you take
I give
and you take.

This relationship,
built on what I do for you,
and you give little back,
a look, a word (in your fashion)
should I step out of line.

And still
and still,
I (like the ancient Egyptians),
obey you,
my feline masters.

James E. Roethlein copyright 2021

Tears as Winter Rain

Tears as winter rain,
freezing the fire
of autumn anger,
and so you choose
to never cry again.

James E. Roethlein copyright 2020

Four Walls

Four walls,
a small shrinking world,
he stares,
silent, solitary,
shadows speaking,
when nobody will,
and where
        and where
                and where,

         is God?

James E. Roethlein copyright 2021

When the Shadows Seem Like Home

Night is fallen, morning to never come.
There is no Spring, there is no Summer,
only Winter and never Christmas.
For the Wild Goose of Ancient Days
departed from a rebel world
favoring the Child of Perdition.

James E. Roethlein copyright 2021

One Night Lover

Another one night lover,
come morning
footsteps fading
beyond the closing door.
The other lover laying
in their half empty bed,
is wishing this is the one
who would have stayed.

James E. Roethlein copyright 2021

He Would Dream of Her

He would dream of her
and woo her in metaphor,
likening her loveliness
to a newly fallen snow,
and meadow flowers
in the summertime.

He would dream of her
and woo her in metaphor,
for she is the dew
on the early morning grass,
and the wind in the trees,
whistling the air around him.

He would dream of her
and woo her in metaphor,
speak of her mirror eyes,
and lose himself,
staring into the heavens,
he sees reflected there.

James E. Roethlein copyright 2020

There Are Miles Between Us

There are miles between us,
meant to be, perhaps
the miles will lessen to inches
(or nothing at all),
and you and I, together,
we shall see, we shall see.

James E. Roethlein copyright 2021