I Wish I Could Tell You
I wish I could tell you
How I feel
When I wake to see
You sleeping next to me
I wish I could describe
The rhythm of your breath,
Rising and falling
Like mountains and empires,
Emerging and dissolving
Into warm, tranquil seas
And in the sweep of your tide,
I remember that I am mortal,
And luckier still
That I’m alive to see you—
So still and peaceful
In your temporary death
And in the swell of the sea,
A tear comes to my eye,
Reminding me
That I am salt
And water
Breaking against the present moment
But, because I cannot tell you this,
Instead, I lean down,
Gently, carefully,
And kiss your fragile head.
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