.

come back come back

my fingers curl convulsively

as if this air

that forces its way into my lungs

i could wrap around you

twisting it tight

and clenching it in my white fist

if i pull hard enough

against these invisible elements

whatever it is pulling you away

would turn you back

would release you one more time

and if i can steal no more than this

another five minutes of light

i will take my punishment well

like a man

but then they walk away

and forget, leaving grief behind

with their old clothes

because to them the road holds

some sort of salve

some saving grace

i shall take the punishment like a woman then

standing on a silent earth

like the other things which grow

and knowing something of what it is

to give the best of you away

does it anyway

and i will take all of this fate's vengeance

her hungry price 

for the tweaking of her threads

in her great tapestry

if only i may steal you back

from her haggard hands

for five minutes more

to taste the smile that comes with hello

for just a while longer

i'm wrapping my hands around this air

hoping it will hold me

when the blur takes your shadow

and theres nothing left but to grow old