Love Poem: One Step Ahead of the Best
Shoaib Malik Avatar
Written by: Shoaib Malik

One Step Ahead of the Best

You walk on me like a sidewalk 
And write on me like chalk 
I go blind just seeing you talk 
My teeth are numb from hearing you walk
I’m caught in your vision
In the crosshairs of your indecision 
Like a shadow I’ll lead you when it’s chilly
You’re a snow tiger, a white lily 
Letting your lips light up this city
Ready to fly away like a kite when it’s windy 
I’m trapped well within your throwing range
Surrounded by landmines and incoming grenades
Your aroma ignites scented candles
This fire is more than I can handle
Empty beach, bare feet, and no sandals
Run over me like bulls ready to trample
I’m a target and you’re so insightful 
So let’s see how good you’re really are with that sniper rifle 
Plane from the beach to the lake
Like a priceless vase about to break 
Your style is too good to be fake 
6.a.m, like stolen pearls you’ve gone to sleep and I lie in your wake
I’m stuck in a rut of indecision to give or take 
40 million ways to die and I get bit by a charming snake 
In a fit of happiness we have but one life to live
And you’ve given him the most precious thing you could give
Angelic wings, a devilish grin, and a story with more holes than a sieve 
Lie to someone else who can’t tell when you fib about your sins 
Shut up listen, let me finish, I’ve come back again ready to win
In a losing a battle to a stabbed back, busted lip, and broken chin
Is this your way to raise hell when the heavens fell yesterday? 
And with nothing left to lose, axed back, you ask “why not wish it all away?”
I didn’t think I would come back, blue and black, to a see another day where I lay 
betrayed
Have something amazing erase my face, spit out the taste where waste remains
But before you speak, and think I’m weak, let me show you something unique
I never fell but stayed on my feet, having you beat by keeping the promise I made 
weeks ago in my speech 

So now you’re dead to me and I’m dead to you
Do you remember what I said to you?
No matter how far you are… I’m one step ahead of you