The last time I saw your face
a downpour of love rained upon me
suddenly
drenching me
soaking my soul

my heart leapt towards yours
yearning to intermingle
bursting with joy to be so near

my hands ached desperately to touch you
tingling pierced my fingertips
sparkling, electric

fever rushed throughout my body
burning to connect with yours
once more

I thirsted for the sight of you as you turned to leave in haste
hungered for your voice to savor just one more taste

Can nothing satisfy this craving for you
that has taken hold and possessed me?

I vacillate between calm and chaos
delight and desperation
pleasure and defeat
wondering
if I will see your sweet smile again

Ever the geisha
I do not want to let you see into my mind
or feel my heartache
I try to spare you the riveting drama
rampaging wildfirelike within me

instead
I give you my painted lips
my well-rehearsed laughter
to remember
happily
the practiced soft brush of my trembling digits on your elbow
accompanied by kind words
soothing thoughts
as I see it is hard too for you to depart
and wish not to make the separation even more difficult

As I hold back tears with all my might
you turn and feed me a shimmering hope
with forlorn and pensive eyes
refusing my kiss your lips

It is then that I know with certainty
that you will miss me
equally as I miss you
and you understand without reservation
the torment that has gripped my being
these past few days
as I suffered in preparation for
the parting of the ways

01/29/2006

Author's Note: From "Moon over Muscat."

Posted on 01/29/2006
Copyright © 2010 Rafika Anderson