I always wanted to ask you that question. For so long I was afraid... afraid of your reaction, afraid of your words, afraid if I asked you would just send me away... alone. Every word inside me wanting to blurt out at once without benefit of punctuation or breath... every thought, ill-formed and badly defined, needing expression, but lacking the capacity.
Because I am at a loss for words.
“Come closer, I need to see your face.”
I waited so long for this moment to arrive... the childish reasons, the stupid hesitation... now eyes grown dim with the passing of time. I knew your face once, when I was much younger... every lineless curve, not yet aged with the character of years, so full of promise... and I left you behind. And while I was distracted by every passing urgent need, you never forgot.
And now, I am at a loss for words.
“What was I even thinking?”
Going my way... playing at being a man, making decisions like a child... and questioning every one. Thinking didn't help... never could. What you could have shown me. Thinking what was distant and unseen would be better than what was right in front of me. More than youth is wasted on the young... sometimes it’s the wasted future, and the dreams, the fucking dreams... all dry to the touch and dusty with the years, and ready to blow away. Wishing that the past was now, and I had just followed my heart when it was all so temporarily clear,
and I was temporarily insane.
Would you forgive me if I am at a loss for words?
“Tell me it’s not too late.”
How often I would have asked that question, but you weren’t there because I sent you away. You said you understood, and I was glad at the time. The sooner I could be forgotten by you, the better it would be for me. I had unimportant things to do, and had to be about them and soon... because you had expectations and commitment is never for the young... until you’re old, and it’s too late. Reality called, and it wants my life back.
And it reminds me that I am at a loss for words.
“I was wrong.”
There, I said it. I want you back and I had to say it, finally, like you needed it... like I wanted you to know back when there was only us. But you moved on, and the words were gone.
And I am at a loss.
Copyright © 2011 Bill Friday
You are writing from your heart without fear and it is a reflection of a place I, myself have been, so I do understand, the intense and burning need to get it out once and for all. TO be honest with that particular person from the past ... the one who could have made things different. Nostalgic yearning rips from within the heart in order to be free. Well done you! :)
ReplyDeleteBill, you are deeper than a bottomless well. I feel like donning a black beret and beating a drum whenever I read you. For that, you get huge kudos.
ReplyDeleteits heart touching...
ReplyDeletePoignantly written, and sad. But also a catharsis, a vehicle to depart from the past and move on with your life.
ReplyDeleteThose are some powerful words. I hope you feel a release after that. It's amazing what words on paper (as it were) can do to help free the feelings.
ReplyDeleteExcellent!
When someone walks out of your life, let them. They are just making room for someone better to walk in.
ReplyDeleteMannoy
I am just curious Friday, Do you have Dutch blood?
ReplyDeleteYou wrote this on my birthday. :) this is my first time to your blog and it is amazing. It is so similar to mine. But without flowers and music. I have a wall on my background too. I search all day for just the particular wall I wanted. If you notice mine is starting to crumble.
ReplyDeletewww.l0oree.wordpress.com