Before You Leave

For Gabi

When I see a blank page

all I want to do is smear

it with your beauty.

 

That is:

     I want to draw your portrait

     with words that have no meaning

     and trace the lines of your body

     with invisible ink.

 

     I want people to read this poem

     and say, 'Wow, he must be speaking

     of a very beautiful girl'

     without ever knowing what you look like.

 

Sometimes I see you

in the corner of my eyes,

that place my mother says

to search for truth,

and I am elated when I look

and you are not there.

 

It tells me that I believe in you

more than I believe in the things

in front of me, tells me that I love

dreaming of touching you just

as much as touching you in real life.

 

I hope you understand when I say,

'I'm so sorry.  I didn't know loving you

would hurt so wonderfully.

Reviews

[Rachel Knight]

I enjoy this very much.

The idea of being elated that someone you love is not really there throws me off a bit, even though you explain it immediately afterwords. Other than that, this is perfection in my eyes. Very evocative of those conflicting yet heart-wrenchingly gorgeous feelings that come with love.

[Emily B]

extremely beautiful,
even if
we can't see
what you do