a poem by Roberta Lawson (1 of 2)

Variations on 'I love you'

Today could we vary
'I love you?' Today
could I struggle
and fight?
Could I be
perfectly un-lady-like?

I keep
getting distracted
thinking about
your hands.

Today, I am
nail and bone.
Today I eat cuteness
& growl.

Today I'm
electric. Today I am
surplus. Today I
bristle & snarl.
Could you help me with that?
Could we work with that?
Until--

Well. After? I could just cry
into your chest, quietly.
I'd really like it if we
could get me through
to 'quietly.' I am
almost certain I could
make you think
the tears

are a good idea.

© by Roberta Lawson
 
Gutter Eloquence Magazine ~ Issue #6 ~ November 2009    next poem