I have asked for signs only to dismiss them Why orchestrate these tiny wonders to light my way when I excuse each one as a figment of my imagination? But that morning you died your green vase jumped from its perch smashed dancing bright coins across the floor and I was assured of the everlasting the ineffable
Author: Elizabeth Maynard
Caution
Caution, Falling into Water is what the sign says Now I see her free from throwing herself to the wind falling back and back and back into expanses, clear and deep
Notes
I could use a break from this relationship we're not having It's not you; it's me See, I just need a little rest from the wide expanses of time between our meetings and the ways your foot is careful not to touch mine under the table Oh, and the love notes all those love notes you haven't been writing Sometimes people just grow together it can't be helped
Hungry
I am so hungry tonight for you, and even not you hungry enough that I might accept even the sparest of offers I will take myself home Better to wait for the true feast even though I know not when, or where, or who
Ready
I might finally be ready to stop talking about my mother her flaws and failings my unmet needs the ways her absence shaped my presence and each carefully chosen word
Two Weeks
What would you do if you knew the great love of your life was coming? Not in the theoretical the imagined but coming like a real date on the calendar the tickets you booked the final exam What if you knew with such certainty that you put your house in order changed the sheets stocked the pantry set out those little soaps? If you knew this great love was coming what would you do?
Cold
Here I am warm but out there I am cold without her he said broken heart and halting English at my little window He signed, I stamped in blue ink each of us batting back tears Does this make her death real or any more bearable? Would that I could send a small glowing coal to warm him on his way
Kedging
Long becalmed now I set this small anchor in the soft sea ahead and row for my life towards it
Tongue Tied
You have some idea how much I like you which is why you have been avoiding me Here we are, fourteen parachute pants and hair bands disastrous kisses excused by the belief we will one day get better at this Practice will perfect us Not so fast: At fifty we are still tongue-tied and skating circles around each other
Arc
Your thumb traces the arc behind my ear and for a moment I believe you when you say I am the most beautiful thing you have ever seen
This Verse 