And If I Said

And if I said “I love you” far too much

And made of it a pallid phrase like “Pass the salt”

Please try to understand my days fly now

On desperation’s edge an inch away from loss’s tears.

And if I tried to kiss you far too much

And grew as noisome as a bee’s recurrent hum

Please try to understand your sweet soft lips’ warm breath

Broke my time’s dizzy spin to calm’s eternal pause.

And if I sought to love you far too much

A thrall to some sick hunger, forgetful

Of our flesh’s many elegant repasts

Please try to understand my body’s fetters fell

The first you took me in your clasp

And breathing free a while

I ran my race to you.

                           c  1995