Had I Seen You

by Alan Hodge / February 10th, 2019

Another face, a glimpse of eyes,
curve of bone lit soft,
a shine in window light.
Could that be you.
Shorn and worn,
a baby we should share
slack asleep across your shoulder.
That might be you.
Struggling with the bag, so tired,
so right in every way,
except so way so far, so far away.
Would I approach.
My memory breaching a busy minute of a hectic life,
a sea monster rising, smiling, How ya doin’?
Terrified. Lost.
Lonely and emptied of all loves but one,
your eyes would say, and seek the child.
Could I allow too ready chipper nonsense,
the just right hug, the we should get together lie.
Would I slip a long cool knife of knowing past your guard
to touch your heart just once.
Would I cheery back and let you, let you, let you, walk away.
Then what, forever?

Disabled by the poetic impulse at a very young age, Alan searches always for the latches that open the floodgates of kindness. When they're found watch out, watch out!! Wash you all away. Read other articles by Alan.

This article was posted on Sunday, February 10th, 2019 at 8:02am and is filed under Poetry.