the perils in a day
when in love but can’t touch
can’t smell her or kiss her
let alone can’t see her
the heart slowly weakens
it cracks and crumbles
one’s breath becomes shallow
and the eyes swell with tears
it is this when one has loved
but life’s trial and travail assails
the spirit, the soul by taking
my love from me
a sunflower when sun’s rays don’t pierce the grays
of the day or the pike and walleye when the river
has been polluted or dried from a dam, birds when
the conifers, oaks or maples have been felled
and in the absence of this comfort, this familiarity,
emptiness fills the vacuum, vibrancy of spirit wanes
and the sunflower wilts, the pike and walleye no longer
run with the river’s stream and birds seize to sing
it is this i feel, my love, in your absence…
three in the morning, try to close mine eyes
to traverse through the dream world but
tears fill my eyelids so am unable to close,
my thoughts are embroiled in lament
life does not afford the present, the next hour,
let alone promise tomorrow and so my
reflection is on how the thinning hair on my
head is turning the color of the snow outside
if i am given another day, i will put my arms
around my partner, my love, i will kiss her and
will tell her how much i appreciate her, will not
allow the moment be devoid of gratefulness
