After Mary Oliver
have you noticed how certain poems linger
in the echoes of yesterday
how certain triggers replay
a certain phrase
how hanging onto words
engulfs an empty room
how walking through fields
begets velvet moonlit nights listening to you
how spinning a record after dropping a needle
births a mountain of longing and sorrow
have you ever noticed
that no matter how many times
you block out the sights and sounds,
they sprout their way back to your tomorrows
The daily pattern repeating
clicking here and there
looking for an update
or something I needed to say
except it’s gone too soon
like the fading of the day
The truth is there was a lot to say
countless conversations
despite they’re all in my head
I’ve said all that I’ve needed to
so now it’s out of the way
We’ve talked about the books we’ve read,
the music we’ve heard,
how our day has been,
and the inspiration for the latest poem
We’ve talked about the weather,
and our upcoming plans
we’ve talked under the stars and moon
we’ve talked when we first wake
and greeted each other with our longing hello’s
There’s so much that’s been said
nothing is left uncovered
except now I’m missing a reason
to say anything at all
Maybe I’ll start with ‘Hello…’
The phone booth crashes into my yard
I’ve seen this play out before
stepping inside, I reach for the receiver
and browse the years to rediscover
Should I dial that year
when I had my first kiss
Should I dial that year
when he made me felt squeamish
Should I dial that year
when I thought I found love
Should I dial that year
when his body fit like a glove
Should I turn back
when things didn’t quite feel right
Should I turn back
when I should have put up a fight
If my destination was yesterday,
which yesterday would it be
or would I stand exactly
where life presents me
