Shawn L. Bird

You stand silently apart

You hover on the edges

distinct

observant

I mingle like sugar in water

wondering

wishing

longing

to draw you

into my arms

to hold you

to anchor you.

But you don’t know where

those hands have been.

You seek a quiet place

to find a peaceful oasis

for the discomfort of that skin

for the ramble of those thoughts

for the torture of that crowd

I stand apart

and watch you pull yourself

in pieces

I’m laughing and chatting

and wishing I could be enough

to give you courage

strength

faith in yourself,

but I’m not.

No matter how much

my heart is full to bursting

with wanting it.

You have to be

enough

alone.