October 14, 2008

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Within my hazy sight
A young man was I
On the shore of a pond
Blissfully surrounded
By cottonwood seeds
Drifting lazy on the breeze
In the springtime air
The willows wind-chime leaves
Sang their ancient song
And the cicadas call
From everywhere

An old rope swings
From a mighty branch
In a cottonwood
Over time
Reaching out to the pond
To the water that beckons
To the trees and birds
And the dragonflies hunting
Skimming over the water
Dancing with the sun light
On the reflecting water
Broken only by the
Bullfrog’s wake

And in the heat of the day
My ears rang with the songs
Of the pond
And on the breeze I could hear
Your voice
Calling

“Come dance with me
Take my hand
Swing with me to the water
Escape this heat
And the mosquito’s stinging bite
In the cool water
You will find me
Waiting
With the pleasure of our youth”

And before me I see
Your hand extending
A finger curling
Come hither
Seducing
Take this rope
Take this leap
To the golden water
Before you

I run
Over the dusty path
The easy path
Beaten down by the feet
Of the many who sought
Your comfort
Your companionship
The solution to this mystery
As all the others
I run this same path
Not the mossy ground
Full of roots and vines
Waiting to slow my way
And trip me before
I can reach you
And your blessings
In the water
Where I know
You will be my savior

I leap
Arms extended
And hands wide open
Grasping for your hand
To take mine
The rope that swings
Gripping it tight
Feeling the wind rush
Through my hair
Over my ears
Drowning the sounds of the day
With the hum of this motion
But not your voice
Your voice rings clear

“Let go…”

You say it again

“It’s time to let go…”

And I believe
I want to believe
That you will catch me
Softly in the cool water
As the rope slows
And the travel of my swing ends
I hear your voice again

“Let go…”

I close my eyes
And push the rope away
My flight confirmed
The point of no return
I open my eyes
And hear your voice again

“Let go… I must let go…”

And the pond is not there

A stony ground waits below

And I see you
Standing on the bluff
Watching my fall
As I reach in vain
Extending my arms in a desperate plea
“Catch me!” I call to you

But you turn and walk away

I close my eyes
One last time
Knowing
There will never be
Another pond
As sweet as this one was

And now
Only now I realize
Between the real
And the imaginary
And the reality
And the fantasy
The only thing left for me
Is letting go