Like gum that’s 
lost its flavor 
and soda absent 
of its fizz
and a flower 
that’s gone dry
I’m missing something 
the loss of
which makes me 
mean anything else 

If I could 
be anything I’d
wish to be 
seen as me
and not as
everyone else sees
me to be 
I’m tired of 
being everyone else’s 
big grand disappointment 
simply by trying 
to be me
imagine being me
there now you 
have the picture 
of me being 
little old me 

Once found 
frequently finished 
twice removed 
finally released 
what am
I asked 
the riddle 
am I 
a stain
a cousin 
or stranger 
no you 
are love 
in the 
hands of 
a lover
who doesn’t 
understand how 

I spy a leaf
hovering high above my
head like my expectation
of something more between 
us sit and gaze
I do dreamily wondering 
when you will fall 
landing upon my shoulder 
but fall you don’t 
but rather stay there 
my disappointment in you 
as my leaf has 
all to do with 
my dream of you 
becoming something you’re not 
than it ever has 
about me letting you 
be the little leaf
that you beautifully are 

It was just 
my dream you 
after the nightmare 
him that left
me too vulnerable 
that I hitched 
and latched myself 
to the first 
wagon I saw 
the chain which 
I hooked to 
you might’ve saved 
me but like 
an anchor tangled 
in my silt
slowing you down 
bringing us both 
to a standstill