Not About You

For W.

Not about the way

you spread your fingers across your mouth

playing shocked,then laughing.

Not even about your hair, straw-gold,

that moves across your forehard,

a mantle for northern paleness.

(Some lines will now be intentionally deleted,

due to the respect of anonymity).

Don`t talk about the code words,

the putting of rings beside soapy dishes,

eyes tired as days wind down.

Speak not of tea cups rattling,

as you carefully sort china,

steam rising for tea.

Forget the shutters falling with a bang,

the cold east wind thwarted,

light shining through curtains, almost candelic.

This is not about you,

just the slight perception of a dweller, a shadow,

my looking.

Reviews

[Henry]

Romance stripped of the cliches associated with romanticism. Honesty in expression and thought, purity in construction.

[Ed Hart]

another top shelf and touching cascade of finely wrought thought

[Mary]

I love this poem! subtle, romantic... a story in the works

[Brandi Nicole]

it is nice to have a worthy subject for adoration.

i enjoyed reading this....thank you for sharing.

[FJ Davis]

As utterly romantic as anything I've ever read.
The depth of undeniable adoration ranges profoundly--pleasingly and properly--deep.
Would so enjoy meeting the woman who could engender this degree of genuine devotion.
I salute your poetry, Leslie--and your good fortune!

[Wolf's Dark Song]

Nice romantic mystery opening up here into a really grand poem!

[paul]

this poem works very well. opening up spaces for interpretation. an ode to uniquely human things, exemplified by the first stanza. and the haunted mystery of the last stanza.

[flyingdreams]

this poem is like a peak offered to something kept hidden.......
good work.....

[Nautili]

This is wonderful....so full of imagery, so full of the wonders of ordinary life when you share it with someone you truly care about.
I love the ending....you as the observer,but not a detached one, you take in everything and your "slight perceptions" are anything but slight. They are the eyes of someone who does not take a lover for granted, or the most miniscule events.