I had the nerve to talk
and the presence of mind
to hear the reply,
which pierced the ear
and fell and swirled
about the entrails.
I could not understand,
but I saw a smile and a shade
of pale skin glow, and now
you’re down on me like a shadow.
Maybe I too
am on my knees:
scrubbing the pavement;
or at the table; the traffic lights;
pumping gas at the station,
thinking of you.
At night – it’s like the Christmas lights
I saw as a child long after my eyes
were shut tight.
thank you Susannah
Beautifully expressed especially the resolving final verse.
thanks Peter. good to hear from you again
Hi Marco, those closing lines sum it up, the flash holding on inside eyes tight shut, and what a title..perfectly matches the piece. I love the opening gambit:
I had the nerve to talk
and the presence of mind
to hear the reply,