In my darkness
He offers laughter
From a far
Off place alone
Like a knife
On crystal stemware
Its clear tone
Pulls me out
Of my solitude
Like a dog
Which seemingly understands
His teasing jokes
About Swedish meatballs
Brings some joy
To me lightly
You do know
Fine I am
Fine I’ll be
A bit weathered
Some what weary
Now more cautious
Looking both ways
On one-way streets
It is still
Possible to be
Mowed down by
Some one reckless
Disobeying the signs
Law and propriety
I’ll just wait
Until the rush
Is finally over
To step foot
Again into the
Chaos of love
It is time
Setting aside those
Focusing on myself
This is difficult
I’ve always been
Service to others
Everyone needs help
At one time
But for me
I never knew
It’s my turn
Alone I am
With the words
And the rain
Wondering at last
What this dawn
Will look like
I’ve only ever
Loved one other
In my lifetime
The same way
Neither ever ended
They simply stopped
Like a car
Out of gas
Now on foot
I no longer
Miss that car
Instead enjoying things
I missed outside
When alone inside
Life slows down
When alone walking
And breathing air
It’s nighttime though
That worries me
When everything’s asleep
Everything but me
The East glows
This morning like
Far off bonfires
Igniting blue skies
Faint pink rouged
Clouds hang high
Like dangling earrings
Catching breaking dawn
Humid chill prompts
Up turned collar
As I sip
Coffee outside our
Little NoDa apartment
Waiting for you
To awaken shivering
Clad in last
Nights fleece pullover
Like many things
We share together
Early morning coffee
The chattering birds
Dawns first light
And dream remembering
Set our tempo
Like daily metronomes
HARLAN DIDRICKSON 