Stand in Place

Talked to a friend about first kisses...

Stand in Place

September 30, 2011

I stand before you with my heart at my feet,

following you with my eyes, the shift in your stance

. 

The light scuffle, sand against rubber against linoleum,

the soft squeak of its stammer, across the floor.

 

You’re not very close, yet I can still feel your breath,

 soft exhales, chest rises and falls, the curve of your jaw,

the bow of your mouth.

Pensive, I am as my eyes reach the floor, such a lovely floor

with cracks and crevices, spotted in dirt that has

traveled many distances to be here, to stand before you. 

 

I lean ever so slightly, with your presence drawing near,

with every single footstep my attention draws away,

 into this world where nothing else exists but

the rhythm of your footsteps as they edge nearer. 

 

You loom so close, yet remain so far,

I could reach my hand to touch you, but do I dare?

With whispers of smoke as the candlelight draws its last breath,

Then ‘poof’ does it go, was it ever really there?

Cast within a shadow, with the moonlight shining through

gossamer curtains, playing peek-a-boo. 

 

With every step you draw near, like an artist drawing out,

all the images of my heart beat as it so thrashes about,

feeling like a minnow held within my hands,

 though it’s never quite this restless, gasping for breath.

 

The headiness starts as I feel you next to me,

as I stare outside your window at the lovely oak tree,

would you dare me to shy away, would you dare me not to look,

would you dare me to go subtly, into the mighty wood.

But no, I must stay, words are never rarely given if not meant.

 

With this moment I had thought I was imagining

thus with palm and fingers that cup my chin, I am nothing less

than a simple-minded creature that always asked for more

More than what was given, more than I can share

More than what I could bargain with, 

yet here we are and again today

 

I picked a dream of wanting, and all I thought for naught,

and suddenly you had appeared and traded shadows

and dust for the warmth of stars and distant brightness.

I watch as your eyes fall half to slivers, 

breath against my cheek, the warmth of your hands,

when the world disappears and fades to a blur,

running fast and out of breath yet running slow with intent. 

 

I swear I saw it smiling,

the half-moon cased  in its shadowbox

those stars how they watched with much anticipation

through those white gossamer curtains and the scuffle upon the floor.

 

You draw me in as I draw my breath, with fingers entwining. 

Then suddenly I feel your breath as my skin comes alive,

my thought for what is done good is done right

is a blessing that life rarely holds,

and as you urge me closer, I fear that I may never move. 

 

Suddenly it happens, your lips are brushing mine,

Softly,  gently as the world outside, shatters into dust,

an explosion within my mind.

Ah this feeling of fire and cold, of wanting, craving

within that moment the world that doesn’t exist makes sense

 if for only for a short while. 

And thus I rest my weary head upon your shoulder,

and my eyes how they stare at our feet, 

and hope that they never move from this spot.

Reviews

[Glen Yumang Manese]

You draw this out a bit...helps actually in the theme...I had to really fight in the middle to finish..but I manage to do so...the idea behind the verse and the expectation of what happens in the end put everything in that last stanza...

[Wynter Ignatius]

This reminds me of a moment in time, sadly a daydream I had rather than reality as it is something to cherish and hold on to. Imagery and flow carry me off to this distant dream and put in oddly into reality if only from a third-person perspective. Your knack for this Polaroid-like pictures that words form the scene is something I enjoy reading and hope I can obtain even in small does in my works, raw as they may be.

Keep it up as always.

[cartera]

That's how it is. The danger of being exposed is ignored, the reality of the surroundings are ignored as the moon starts to impossibly smile and the concrete world is morphed: it is going to be all or nothing. And for as long as it is all, let us remain transfixed.
Good luck.
Excellent stuff.
ATB
alex.

[Muse]

"With every step you draw near, like an artist drawing out"
That is my favorite line. You bring new meaning to standing in one place....time standing still. I know that feeling of not knowing if you should take another step. Or is it best to stay still. Breath in what's so close....yet not quite within reach.

Suddenly it happens, your lips are brushing mine,
Softly, gently as the world outside, shatters into dust,
an explosion within my mind.

And then it comes to you.............it becomes at times too much! And you don't dare let go of it!

[Luke Ritta]

I really liked this poem...very good work.

[STAR CHILD]

wow this is deep and has deep power to it

[Your Perfect Disaster]

I love this!
Outstanding!

[Penlady]

Anticipation the larger part of the gift, the breathless anticipation of what is dreamed. Young love is need and deep wanting, hoping. You've allowed the comfort of the head resting on a shoulder after the climactic first.

[Arthur Henn]

This was beautifully painted, written. I see a man, I see a woman dancing in the breeze of twilight's final hour waiting for the last breath of candle light.