I awoke in
A field of
Wildflowers lavender honeysuckle
Peony and bluebell
Each different yet
Each the same
The same because
To my eye
They simply surround
Me like old
Friends different because
Like old friends
Each brings its
Own distinct color
Fragrance and beauty
Surrounded by nature’s
Possibilities do I
Pick or absorb
Breathing in I
Decide to snap
One free just
For me now
Come home with
Me and let
Me enjoy you
Where I can
Always see you
Where you belong
Beside me forever
In the story
Of us there’s
No happy ending
No happily ever-after
You and I
Are simply a
Fade to black
And roll credits
As our friends
Quietly shuffle away
Entertained and sad
By our non-ending
Ending wondering if
There might be
A sequel but
Both of us
Are already committed
To new projects
You and I
One hit wonders
Nights are haunted
By dreams of
Times gone by
Of swimming languidly
In loves sweet
Pools of affection
Remembering smiles summer
Warmth on faces
Are these dreams
Harbingers of hope
Or a dereliction
Of damnation now
I believe hope
For even if
I am damned
I am damned
To tread water
Remembering you forever
And just then
After the digging
And pailing and
Sculpting and dreaming
And building and
Coveting an unforeseen
Storm rolls in
And as much
You protect and
Scoop and try
To keep what
Was yours you
Suddenly realize that
It never was
That you were
Just borrowing it
For a time
Sitting here today
I’m present to
Lost and found
Something lost can
Be found again
But by then
It’s too late
Either you’ve discovered
A replacement or
You’ve learned to
Do without it
Keep important things
Close to you
Because once they’re
Gone they are
Gone for good
HARLAN DIDRICKSON 