What does it meanĀ Ā Ā when all we have between us
is the lap lap lap of river waterĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā against a blue cheek
the smell of minerals and fishĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā the grit of the shore
And do you rememberĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā when you told me all you saw in me
was the void and cloudless skyāĀ Ā Ā Ā do you remember the rush of stars
on our faces and when I leaned inĀ Ā Ā I whispered and you turned
and took my handĀ Ā Ā Ā What does it mean when we emerge together
with twigs in our hair and mouthsĀ Ā Ā And will you rescue me
over and over againĀ Ā Ā Do you promiseĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Will you save me
Your warm hand on my bare shoulderĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā the warmest hand
the last handĀ Ā the last of thousands of hands clawing and needing
Your hand is gentleĀ Ā Ā Did you know thatĀ Ā Ā Was that a kindness
or are you always this kind?Ā Ā Will you think about me
when youāre wide eyed and unknowingĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā uncomprehending
and terrifiedĀ Ā Will you listen to the soundĀ Ā Ā of a thousand pretty birds
and remember my nameĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā like a dream
where nothing makes senseĀ Ā Ā but in a way doesĀ Ā Ā Ā in a dream way
When it is in our house again will you screamĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā and run
If I pretend not to know youĀ Ā do you promise youāll still hold my hand
Will you introduce yourself to my parentsĀ Ā Ā Will you dance me to the end
of this existenceĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā a place where a diaryĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā locks a girlās secrets away
Kolleen Carney Hoepfner’s poetry and other writings can be found in Five 2 One Magazine, Watershed Review, Golden Walkman, Uno Kudo, Bad Pony, Rabid Oak, Birth.Movies.Death, and elsewhere. Kolleen serves as Editor in Chief of Drunk Monkeys, and is the Managing Editor and Social Media Coordinator for Zoetic Press. She lives in Burbank, California, with her husband and son. Her website isĀ www.kolleencarney.com. She tweets at @KolleenCarney
š¾ š² š² š š» š š¼ 