Love Poem: Pictures of You
Nancy Beckman  Avatar
Written by: Nancy Beckman

Pictures of You

You were a match that brought a new light into my world, 
After three months of meeting, talking, showering and walking
All my mind could do was think about you
The sheer thought of knowing we would see each other 
made me dizzy with love, lust, a passion I could not mistrust.
Under a September sky I sit quietly 
As I try to remember what it is you first told me
Now the words have drifted away 
Like trash along the shore – not meant to become part of nature – which is so pure 
I should have kept the memories inside the confines of my mind
But it gets so cluttered sometimes, I know it’s my job to keep these wires organized
Every time I hear Nirvana, I remember driving down the road
With the cows looking at us through the rolled-up windows  
You sat in the front and told us all how you didn’t like this music
A twinge inside my gut poked at the thought you were in my life just for this moment
The things you said afterward made that so very potent
You were in my life just for the moment 
It felt like magic the times I had with you, 
before I knew how much hurt a mouth could do 
I pull the petals off a flower, it’s so strange how words can have so much power
It can affect you now until long after
Your words used to speak to me but now it’s only blabber
My head knows I’m better your gone
My heart sings a slow, heavy mourning song.
I wish they would meet, and fix all these pieces that broke when you left
I going to return from this heartbreak 
But I won’t be the same
a candle burnt from the flame
What are you? Well, a moth that can’t find the light
I sit here, and cough from the smoke of the lady nearby
A cigarette hangs out of her mouth
I ask her for one, she shrugs
Can’t be done 
Ok I say, I fold your faded picture up and walk away.