The page rubs against my fingers as I begin turn it

Lost in the words on each piece of paper

I look up

Listening to the birds sing to me

Sitting quietly not even the squirrels seem to notice my presence

I like it that way

Their quick hands and feet move swiftly up and down the tree

surrounding it

Two of them chase each other as though it is a game

Unfamilar with their voices I wonder

What their saying

Higher up in the trees

The birds sing to one another

A song of love that only their math can comprehend

Can they see me?

Do they care that I'm watching?

I swing softly in my chair

making sure not to startle their afternoon play

I look up

Little pieces of light wink at me through the leaves as they sway

Inhaling softly

Taking in the oxygen that compliment my lungs

The book still lays flat on my lap

untouched and waiting to tell me more

I begin reading again

with the silent chirp of bird in the background

singing their love song.

See me,

I begged,

hoping you would look up and meet my eyes.

But even if you looked,

you would not see.

Even if you saw,

it would not be me.

For your gaze passes right through,

piercing my heart and shattering it.

Hear me,

as I whisper comfort to your ears.

Where even when no one hears your voiceless cries,

I will be there,

listening,

always.

Feel me,

and my presence,

I always was,

and always will be there for you.

Even when everyone has let you down,

even when they did not see you for who you were,

I will be there.

Catch me,

you ask.

For you have fallen,

but not beyond return.

I promise,

this time I will be there for you,

so catch this heart I give to you.

I asked you to see,

but you could not.

So, I will ask you once more,

do you see how I love you so?

See with your heart,

and not your eyes.

See me,

for I see you too

My eyes hold yours one second longer before I can’t stop myself from closing the distance. I swing my leg over your waist and pull your damp shirt from your skin, tossing it over the seat bench as my hand closes on the back of your neck. Your hands are cool as they pull my face in closer. Our mouths hot lava floods. I pull back and watch the sunbeams catch in the warm spots of your eyes. And your arms circle around me. And I know as you pull my tongue back into your own mouth. I know as yours slides across my teeth. I won’t come back up for air. This is where I drown.

She won't remember when without a word we wandered dark collegetown neighborhoods.Where were the dogs & cops? I wondered.We were thrilled for the night still.

Still, there were all the satellites. And very still, there was that light in a candlelit

picture window. It gave a silhouette, a shadow, she was readying a bed.

Buffing up a sheet, she showed us, (my sister Janny and me)Her heartstopping Beauty;

A silent ballet shadow show that we acknowledged, her walk-stopping

ethereal naked lines.Then we continued on, still wordless.

Then, getting stiller yet.