And then by happenstance
Two people didn’t meet
Where they should have
But met somewhere else
As though one oak
And one elm sapling
Each took its own
Flight from far off
Trees and landed side
By side two different
Yet similar things at
First prone and later
Tall and so strong
And shading the other
This will be our
Story if we have
A story to tell
And just when my
Waterproofing dried in comes
Another trickle where’d that
Come from following the
Winding wetness I see
An open window a
Photograph loosely taped to
The side of some
Other obscure memory slumping
To the humid concrete
Of my hearts basement
I admit I’m doomed
The water will win
He will always find
A way to remind
Me that he was
Once here still is
And always will be
I enjoy skating though
I prefer ice over
Rolling I think that
It’s the winter padding
Because I confidently know
That down I will
Go and up I
Will try but more
Down I will go
Dating is like that
Success only ever happens
When either someone helps
You up or you
Simply crawl to the
Side laughing and admitting
This isn’t for me
I am obviously different
Being the only atom
In the entire universe
To not only not
Bump into others but
Obviously repel so here
I float the tiniest
Of things amidst eons
Of matter alone wondering
What it must be
Like belonging to another
I seek no applause
For words are deaf
And poems are blind
But my heart knows
When I have written
HARLAN DIDRICKSON 