If, For A Flash, I Felt Bidden.

The empty streets glowed gaudy with
Season’s Greetings.
How empty streets gain nothing but fear of
Footsteps or shadows or the sound of muffle and hum.
“Have you seen the film about the dead girl?” you said.
I don’t need to see it.
Laconic.
I left before
We got too deep into one
And I got too deep into you.
I don’t want to feed that danger,
I cannot be more than stranger.
I want to remain an imprint on the night,
Not a fumble. Or a shackle.
But from where I stand I can
See the blurry edge of
Friendship turn to longing.
I cannot even wish for a clear day,
For clarity is what I am
Now.

The purple of the night
Makes it a lot easier but
Dares everyone, eases people to
Believing this is right.
I know.
You can’t bolt down an empty space.
If, for a flash, I felt bidden
To feel your face
I’d have ran and hidden before
I’d stirred the corners of
Your simplicity. Perhaps shadows
Of commotion would have shrouded
That intention, made you feel
Flesh, made you sense what I know.
No. It would never happen –
I don’t allow proximity.

The new night soon turns baby day
And from the dome of sleepy
Goodbyes there was a crack in
This skull of mine.
Was it in the bright bulbs
Lining The Broadway
Or was it the freckled void?
That fickle glimpse of happiness;
The simple pleasures of holding hands at moments,
Comforting in your smile’s caresses.
Breathing happy air
Calming down, sitting still.
Able to breathe.

©JamieZubairi 2010

(previously published on the facebook fansite)