There

.

i

s

.

magic

.

a

n

d

.

magnificence

.

a

l

l

.

around

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

f

–

–

–

that’s

.

t

h

e

.

belief

.

y

o

u

.

choose . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ magic

.

a

n

d

.

magnificence

–

–

up

.

a

n

d

.

down

.

a

n

d

.

all

around,

.

f

o

r

.

you,

.

a

n

d

.

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

everyone

.

w

h

o

.

refuses

to

.

b

e

.

consumed

.

b

y

.

the

limitless,

–

–

worldly,

–

–

wicked

brews . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

the

deep,

.

a

n

d

.

dark,

.

a

n

d

.

brooding

blues . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ the

deep,

.

a

n

d

.

dark,

.

a

n

d

.

brooding

blues . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

if

.

i

t

.

is

love,

.

a

n

d

.

life,

.

a

n

d

.

joy

.

y

o

u

.

choose . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

h

e

n

–

–

–

smile

when

.

y

o

u

.

see

it . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

dance

when

.

y

o

u

.

feel

it . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

shine

when

.

y
o
u

.

breathe

it . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

your

own

–

–

unique

warmth,

–

–

color,

–

–

light,

.

a

n

d

,

brilliance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

c

a

n

–

–

–

ignite

.

a

.

wondrous,

–

–

shimmering

expanse . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

a

r

–

–

–

beyond

.

t

h

e

.

romance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ far

beyond

.

t

h

e

.

elegance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

the

original

magic

.

a

n

d

.

magnificence.

Reflection:  

This was a hope/inspiration themed poem I wrote back in October of 2018 to inspire hope and optimism by suggesting our perceptions largely create the way we feel inside and the life experiences we have.

Our

first

kiss

.

w

a

s

.

much

better

.

t

h

a

n

.

this . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

it

beamed,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

burned,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

blossomed

.

w

i

t

h

.

bliss . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

although

tonight

.

y

o

u

.

tried,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

tried

.

t

o

.

make

it

.

t

h

e

.

very

best

.

o

f

.

its

kind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

our

first

.

k

i

s

s

.

happened

.

l

o

n

g

.

before

tonight . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

mile,

–

–

before

mile,

–

–

before

mile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

time,

–

–

before

time,

–

–

before

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

miles

.

a

n

d

.

time

.

b

e

f

o

r

e

.

tonight

arrived . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

miles

.

o

f

.

time

.

o

f

.

midnight

lines,

–

–

filled

.

w

i

t

h

.

you-s,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

me-s,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

we-s . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

wined

.

a

n

d

.

dined,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

dined

.

a

n

d

.

wined . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

across

.

t

h

e

.

isles

.

o

f

.

romantic

rhyme . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

isles

.

o

f

.

romantic

rhyme,

.

.

w

h

i

c

h

.

.

lie

inside

.

m

y

.

wildly

wandering,

–

–

wanting

mind.

Reflection: This was a forgotten romantic-themed poem I wrote back in November of 2018 where the romancer finally experiences what he or she has been anticipating over a period of several months – but the actual experience paled in comparison to what had been imagined many times before leading up to that event. So, the anticipation was much more passionate, moving, and thrilling than the actual experience. Frequently that happens in life. This poem was written about a someone I had daydreamed about romantically many times but found the actual experience to be nothing close to that.

Oh,

.

b

u

t

.

your

life

.

i

s

.

so

boring,

–

–
said

.

t

h

e

.

sea . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

your

life

.

i

s

.

so

boring,

–

–
said

he . . .
–
–

–

.

.

.
said

she . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

boring

.

i

s

.

simple . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

boring

.

i

s

.

sweet . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

boring
.

i

s

.

serene . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

freeing

.

t

o

.

me.

Reflection:  This was a simple, reflective-themed poem that came to me when I was at Daytona Beach relaxing by the sea. It was so simple and basic that I was surprised so many people liked it.

You’re

–

s

o

–

lovely

–

–

when

–

y

o

u

– 

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

lovely

–

–

when

–

y

o

u

–

smile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

moment

–

w

e

–

see

–

y

o

u

r

–

face . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

cosmic

colors

–

–

chase

away

–

t

h

e

–

hard

–

a

n

d

– 

heavy

greys . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

suddenly . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

suddenly . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

tomorrow’s

troubles

fade,

–

a

s

–

do

–

t

h

e

–

hauntings

–

o

f

–

yesterdays . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

for

a

moment

–

w

e

–

escape . . .

–

–

–

.

.

–

I,

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

they,

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

everyone . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

a

moment

–

w

e

–

dance,

–

a

n

d

–

chase,

–

a

n

d

–

play . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

beneath

–

t

h

e

–

warming

rays . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

get

–

–

swept
away

–

b

y

–

the

wave . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

for

–

t

h

e

–

moment

–

w

e

–

escape . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

because

you’re

lovely . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ so

lovely

–

–

when

–

y

o

u

–

smile.

Reflection:

This is a poem I wrote in reflection of a Marine Corps Drill Instructor I met back in 2018 who seemed to frown a lot – but looked so beautiful when he smiled. So, I wanted to encourage him to smile a little more.

They may try

to hurt me

with

their words . . .

–

–

–

.

.

. 

b

u

t 

–

–

–

my voices 

torture more

than

anything said

or done before . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

.

i

s

.

the 

saddest 

note,

.

.

o

f

.

.

the

saddest 

verse,

.

.

o

f

.

.

the 

saddest 

song,

–

–

ever

heard . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

filling

.

m

y

.

soul . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

filling

.

m

y

.

void . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

filling

.

m

y

.

distance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

the

.

m

o

s

t

.

heavy,

–

–

haunting,

–

–

resounding

–

–

sound

.

.

o

f

.

.

all . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

along

.

w

i

t

h

.

everything

.

I

.

might

. 

h

a

v

e

.

been . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ along

.

w

i

t

h

.

everything

.

I

.

might

. 

h

a

v

e

.

been . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

.

i

s

.

the

dance

.

o

f

.

the

dying . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

dying

.

o

f

.

dreams . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

dying

.

o

f

.

hope . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

dying

.

o

f

.

each,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

all,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

every . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

makes

.

y

o

u

.

play . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

makes

.

y

o

u

.

play . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

makes

.

y

o

u

.

play . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

the

fires

.

o

f

.

foreplay . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

courting

.

o

f

.

cocaine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

taunting

.

o

f

.

Tanqueray . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

touch,

.

.

a

n

d

.

. 

the

tease,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

the

taste

.

o

f

. 

ANYTHING

.

w

h

i

c

h

. 

might

–

–

take

.

i

t

.

.

all

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

makes

.

y

o

u

.

play . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

makes

.

y

o

u

.

play . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

makes

.

y

o

u

.

play . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

the

fires

.

o

f

.

foreplay . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

until

.

i

t

.

!BURNS!

!!BURNS!!

!!!BURNS!!!

–

–

everything

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ until

.

y

o

u

.

finally

awake

.

a

n

d

.

proclaim:

“I am going 

to make it 

!MY WAY!”

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

“I will like

and accept

myself 

!ANYWAY!”

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

.

.

i

t

.

.

!BURNS!

!!BURNS!!

!!!BURNS!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

until

.

y

o

u

.

awake

.

a

n

d

.

proclaim . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ until

.

y

o

u

.

awake

.

a

n

d

.

proclaim . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

– 

simply

lie

.

i

n

.

wait,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

then

.

j

u

s

t

.

die

.

t

h

a

t

.

way.

Reflection: This was a forgotten personal struggle-themed poem that I wrote back in May of 2018 where the affected party regularly attacks himself/herself with his/her own internal negative voices. These internal negative voices pale in comparison to anything external going on in his/her life. The unforgiving, self-destructive habit not only creates a life of misery but also leads him/her to pursue external remedies – external remedies which conspire to make things worse. And we get the feeling that the internal – external negative cycle will continue until the affected party either finds a way to break out of the negative cycle or pays the ultimate price. This is one of the few poems I have written that was inspired by a play. I had gone to the Orlando Fringe Festival back in 2018, and saw the play called “Awake,” and the poem largely wrote itself from that.

I

.

poked

.

m

y

.

pokey

.

in

.

d

a

.

ho,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

would

.

n

o

t

.

let

.

i

t

.

go . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

would

.

n

o

t

.

let

.

i

t

.

go . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

i

l

l

–

–

–

I

poked

.

i

t

.

slow

.

r

i

g

h

t

.

thru

.

d

a

.

choke . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

poked

.

i

t

.

slow

.

r

i

g

h

t

.

thru

.

d

a

.

choke . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

once

I

broke

.

d

a

.

hold,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

“oh!”

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

could

.

n

o

t

.

stop

.

d

a

.

flow.

Reflection: This was a fun and simple reflective/nostalgic-themed poem I wrote back in April of 2018. I came up with this while sitting on the Boardwalk in Daytona Beach. It doesn’t take much imagination to figure out what this poem is really about. Perhaps this could have been the lyrics to a simple song in the “Super Mario Bros.” movie, game, or something.

I

.

a

m

.

so

absorbed

.

b

y

.

you,

–

–

there’s

.

n

o

t

.

much

else

.

I

.

c

a

n

.

do . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ no,

there’s

.

n

o

t

.

much

else

.

I

.

c

a

n

.

do . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Just

.

a

.

passing

glance

.

o

f

.

warming

desire,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

a

glowing

.

twig

.

ignites

.

i

n

t

o

.

a

!FOREST FIRE!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

drop

.

o

f

.

rain,

–

–

stirs

.

i

n

t

o

.

a

!!HURRICANE!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

drop

.

o

f

.

rain,

–

–

stirs

.

i

n

t

o

.

a

!!HURRICANE!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

Just

.

t

h

e

.

thought

.

o

f

.

an

.

a

l

m

o

s

t

.

touch,

–

–

explodes

.

w

i

t

h

.

intensity . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

explodes

.

w

i

t

h

.

such

intensity,

.

.

I

.

.

cannot

perceive

.

w

h

a

t

.

a

greater

want

.

o

r

.

warmth

might

bring . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

cannot

perceive

.

w

h

a

t

.

a

greater

want

.

o

r

.

warmth

might

bring . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Perhaps

.

i

t

.

would

.

b

e

.

like

.

a

taut,

–

–

narcotic

shot,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

then

!!!GONE!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

one

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

two

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

three

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

!!!!AGAIN!!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

four

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

five

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

six

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

!!!!!AGAIN!!!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

seven

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

eight

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

nine

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

!!!!!!AWAKE!!!!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

o

–

–

–

the

painful

–

–

remains,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

knowing

.

I

.

c

a

n

.

!!!!!!!NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

somehow

within

.

t

h

e

.

shell-shocked

haze,

.

.

I

.

.

begin

.

t

o

.

recall

.

t

h

e

.

subtle

trace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

subtle

trace

.

o

f

.

that

face . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

.

t

h

e

.

forest

fire

!FLAMES!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d 

–

–

–

then

.

t

h

e

.

!!HURRICANE!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

.

t

h

e

.

taut,

–

–

narcotic

!!!SHOT!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

– 

then

!!!!GONE!!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

know

.

n

o

t

.

when,

.

.

I

.

.

w

i

l

l

.

find

–

–

myself

–

–

again,

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

still

–

–

somehow,

–

–

somewhere,

–

–

someway . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

love

.

i

t

.

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

love

.

i

t

.

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

love

.

i

t

.

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

h

a

n

–

–

–

that,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

all,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

everything . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

d

i

d

.

before . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

there’s

.

n

o

t

.

much

else

.

I

.

c

a

n

.

do . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

because

.

I

.

a

m

.

so

absorbed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ so

absorbed

.

b

y

.

you.

Reflection: This was a forgotten personal struggle-themed poem that I wrote back in March of 2018 where the affected party has a severe addiction problem that he/she just cannot shake or break away from. It’s the kind of addiction that can easily consume his/her entire life and turn his/her world inside out and upside down. It can represent any addiction type: drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling, compulsions, etc. I’ve had experiences just like this with certain people. There are very few, select individuals I’ve encountered in my life that can have such a power over me. And it’s both intriguing and frightening at the same time. Someone I first met back in 2018 had that kind of effect on me.

I

know

.

t

h

e

.

end

.

i

s

.

coming,

.

.

b

u

t

.

.

I

slow

–

–

every

step . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

know

.

t

h

e

.

end

.

i

s

.

coming,

.

.

b

u

t

.

.

I

soften

.

m

y

.

breath . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

end

. 

i

s

.

coming . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

end

. 

i

s

.

coming . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

end

. 

i

s

.

coming . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Only

pale,

.

stale

.

moments

remain . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

this

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

on

.

t

h

i

s

.

page . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

until

.

I,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

all,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

every

.

t

h

a

t

.

remains

never

.

s

e

e

.

you

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ we

.

w

i

l

l

.

never

.

s

e

e

.

you

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

.

.

.

I

soften

.

m

y

.

breath,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

I

slow

.

every

step . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Each

moment

.

begins

.

a

t

.

one,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

then

stretches

.

t

o

.

ten . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

stretches

.

t

o

.

ten,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

then

.

begins

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

begins

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 It

begins

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

begins

again . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

don’t

want

.

t

o

.

let

.

i

t

.

show . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

.

.

.

I

don’t

want

.

t

o

.

let

.

y

o

u

.

go . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

don’t

want

.

t

o

.

let

.

y

o

u

.

go . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

.

.

.

I

hold

on . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

I

hold

on . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

I

hold

on . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

I

hold

on . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

A

final

kiss . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

A

final

touch . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

A

final

glance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

A

final

hush . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then,

–

–

everything

.

i

s

.

gone . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then,

–

–

there

.

i

s

.

nothing

left . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ nothing

.

l

e

f

t

.

except

.

t

h

e

.

linger . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

lingering

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

lingering

smiles . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

lingering

tears . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

r

o

m

–

–

–

all

.

t

h

e

.

while . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

More . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ now,

.

I

.

miss

.

y

o

u

.

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

miss

.

y

o

u

.

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

than

.

e

v

e

r

.

before.

Reflection: This was a forgotten melancholy-themed poem that I wrote back in March of 2018 where the affected party experiences a heart-wrenching loss. This poem was primarily inspired by the moving ending of the wonderful movie: “Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool.”

I

.

a

m

.

filled

.

w

i

t

h

.

the 

faith,

.

.

I

.

.

might

find

.

i

t

. 

someday,

.

.

s

o

.

.

I

wait . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

c

a

n

. 

almost

feel

.

t

h

e

. 

warming

beauty

.

a

n

d

.

grace,

.

.

s

o

.

.

I

wait . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

wait

.

f

o

r

. 

something 

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

wait

.

f

o

r

. 

something 

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

wait

.

f

o

r

. 

something 

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

so

many

.

s

a

y

.

with

all

.

m

y

.

wait,

.

.

t

h

a

t

.

.

I

. 

w

i

l

l

.

age

.

a

n

d

.

only

.

d

i

e

.

this

way . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

they

.

w

i

l

l

. 

always

find

.

a

.

smile

.

o

n

.

my

face . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

.

.

.

I

.

a

m

.

happy

.

i

n

.

my

days,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

content

.

w

i

t

h

.

my

pace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

anyway,

.

.

I

.

.

can’t

imagine

.

a

.

better

way

.

t

o

.

leave

.

t

h

i

s

.

place,

–

–

than

with

.

t

h

e

.

glimmering

faith

.

I

.

might

dance

.

w

i

t

h

.

the

grace,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

find

.

i

t

.

someday . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

.

.

.

I 

wait.

Reflection: This was a forgotten inspirational/hope-themed poem that I wrote back in March of 2018 to encourage patience and living with a sense of hope and happiness from one moment to the next.

Tell . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

do

.

n

o

t

.

know,

–

– 

how

.

t

o

.

tell

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

.

.

.

I

.

am

.

t

o

o

.

ashamed

.

inside

.

t

h

e

.

shell,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

a

little

.

t

o

o

.

shy

.

a

s

.

well,

.

.

t

o

.

.

break

.

t

h

e

.

silent

spell . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

it’s

easier

.

t

o

.

smile,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

wave,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

wish

.

y

o

u

.

well . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

smile,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

wave,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

wish

.

y

o

u

.

well . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

There

once

.

w

a

s

.

a

dream,

–

–

breathing

next

.

t

o

.

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

waiting . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

.

waiting . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

waiting . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

before

.

turning

away

.

a

n

d

.

fading

.

i

n

t

o

.

distance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

turned

away

.

a

n

d

.

faded

.

i

n

t

o

.

distance . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

leaving

nothing 

.

b

u

t

.

silence,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

the

memory

.

o

f

.

what 

might

.

h

a

v

e

. 

been . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

memory

.

o

f

.

what 

might

.

h

a

v

e

. 

been . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Linger . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

feelings

linger . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

now

that

.

y

o

u

. 

have

gone . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

they

taunt,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

tease,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

haunt

.

m

e

.

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

taunt,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

tease,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

haunt . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

taunt,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

tease,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

haunt . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

taunt,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

tease,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

haunt

.

m

e

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

haunt

.

m

e

.

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

haunt

.

m

e

.

more . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

h

a

n

–

–

–

anything

before.

Reflection: This was a forgotten romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in January of 2018 where the affected party experiences a heart-wrenching turn of events which, at that point in time, seem too insurmountable for him or her to change. This poem was primarily inspired by the wonderful, moving movie: “Call Me By Your Name.”