Embrace

..are you sitting down to read this?

 

Embrace

 

We say we love them and have held their hands

And we say we will protect them at the same time making trivial plans

They jump up to give us a hug

And they have walked to us across a well-worn rug

And they called us from miles upon empty miles

Hoping that the shear distance is filled while we speak into an inexpensive phone

The television plays alone in the family room taking up space, giving out a glow

Today’s paper is unfolded and separated from itself on the floor

Political irony on the first page and loss of someone loved says the second page

But the cartoons and the movie page are just as important, and a coupon clipped

 

The warmth of your hand was felt, when?

And the words you spoke last, did someone accept them within?

A loved one’s kiss upon your cheek, did you even notice it soft?

Did you even smell the fragrance in their hair as they approached you close?

Was his smile repeated and her smile accepted into your busy glance?

And the dinner at her friends were only simple calculated rituals

The words were spoken but nothing said

More words were spoken and yet the conversation continued

Grins shown teeth and reflected acknowledgment of what?

Of what he said and she said and they said, finally the dinner was done

 

Tears are wept and cries heard aloud over the TV

Tissue to wipe the seeping clear fluid, the tissue box matches the decor

A heart hurt and then we hug?

Pavlov’s dog and the mice that we are, we ate the cheese

I sent a card, and an email and another empty phone call

We wake to eat and to work and then to sleep

No one ever tries to touch the precious air that we breathe

 

Nobody holds their child until they demand to be let go

And no one sees a lover hold another until each other has missed the time

Have you embraced me until there was a bruise?

Embrace me to bruise me and know that you hurt me because you love me and it hurts us both to feel each other after our arms have fallen to our sides

Kiss my mouth as yours mouth breaks across the front of my face and the taste of my bleeding lip tells me it hurts only to be so far away

 

Embrace me to hold me and to let go would only tear flesh

 

Gary A. Glasser 

Author's Note

grammar? whats dat?