Dark Distances

Dark Distances

It’s been weeks since I’ve seen your face

and I can’t make this plane 

fly any faster to you.

I feel jitters down my spine

the entire ride home,

as if my inability to sit still

would make the trip quicker.

I’m finally at the doorstep

and you’re not there.

In this moment of worry

and disappointment,

your ringtone plays in my pocket.

“Sammie...” 

“Not again,” I sigh

and return to the driver’s seat.

You didn’t know you would reach

your blinding tunnel again.

You feel it approaching 

as the road ahead constricts

into a prison, void of color.

The darkness encloses

and binds you into place.

Your ocular migraines have you 

in their grasp once more.

I’m rushing north on the highway

looking for your old, white Tempo. 

I take for granted the ability 

to see in a world of bright colors, 

searching for my love who sometimes

can’t see anything at all.

I want to put myself in your place

or at least be your missing sense.

If only our time apart

could be as brief as your dark disorder.

Yet, those precious hours

I spend with you

are disrupted by a blinding 

warden -- restricting your sight

from the face

you’ve been so anxious to see.

I finally find you 

pulled over near an exit sign.

I slide into the seat next to you

and interlock my fingers in yours.

You smile because you already know my touch.

“I’m Ray Charles, again!” you say.

You can tell I’m smiling, too.

Author's Note

My boyfriend has a unique health problem. While most people expierce migraines in their head, ears, and eyes, Michael expiereces them solely in his eyes. These are called "ocular migraines". He gets tunnel vision and it progresses until he is entirely blind for 2-3 hours. It does not hurt him, but it poses a problem every so often for him. We used to be in a long distance relationship and I wrote this about him while I was away.

Reviews

[Andrew C]

If only our time apart
could be as brief as your dark disorder.
Yet, those precious hours
I spend with you
are disrupted by a blinding
warden -- restricting your sight
from the face
you’ve been so anxious to see.

I love this part, kinda interesting to me

[Harmartia Poe]

Thank you :)

[Michael G. Smith]

I enjoyed this and how true love conquers all. My wife also suffers from migraines and they cause her to very sensitive to light that she lies in the dark sometimes for days.

[Brittany Zedalis]

╰☆╮I've heard of those before, my mom had something similar. He is so lucky to have someone as understanding as you are! This was very beautiful and touching.╰☆╮

[Harmartia Poe]

Thank you so much :)

[A. Amos]

Love your romantic soul and every single word pouring out from your heart..such a poignant tale you share about your boyfriend, will keep him in my prayers and hope everything will be good.

[Harmartia Poe]

Thank you so much :) I appreciate the prayers, but I promise you that he is doing well :)

[A. Amos]

Good to know and you're most welcome...

[Rachel Mason]

I don't know if I'm just feeling incredibly sappy today, but regardless, I almost started crying happy tears. I know both of you so well and how you express your love for him still catches me off guard. I mean your writing is great, like always, but I feel I know a more intimate side of your relationship now, despite how many times we've talked about it:)

[Harmartia Poe]

Thanks girl. I'm glad you feel that way :)

[Zany]

I love the imagery in the phrase "blinding warden" continuing the prison analogy. Beautifully written!

[Harmartia Poe]

Thank you! :D

[Sophy Freebirds]

You have penned it really very well. You've put yourself in Michael's place when you describe the tunnel of darkness.. loved the irony in this poem when he was deprived to see the face he was longing for.. those lines expertly expressed.. And i could imagine the scene of your entwined fingers and elated faces.. Nice piece. :) i wish you both good luck.. ★prayers and wishes for You both★

~Sophy

[Harmartia Poe]

Thanks so much, Sophy :) Thankfully, we are out of the long distance relationship, but with loving prayers and wishes, we made it out alive lol.