RELATIONSHIP POETRY

More days than not, when we chat
over a flavored coffee
or steaming cup of black joe,
On the couch, or at the table,
One of us asks: "Did you know
So and so died yesterday?"

Never, over a cup tea
With some honey or a splash
Of cashew milk or creamer
Does such talk seem to happen.
I know, we rarely drink tea,
But maybe we should go green.

It does happen while we dine
Or settle down later on
To watch murder and mayhem
On TV; another statement
Of the finality of life-
A name of who passed today.

We rarely ask each other
Who that person was. We know
All the newsworthy names now.
We grew up with those singers,
Activists, actors, thinkers,
Schmoozers, and politicians.

I can deal with eighty nines,
Ninety fives, and hundred eights.
But as these icons pass on–
Regular folks, too, like us–
The sixty ones, twos, and fours,
Hit much too close to home now.

Time is fleeting, that we know,
As you keep joking with me:
"If I have twenty years left,
do I really care to be
aggravated?" No, you say,
You'll surely enjoy this day.

As leaves drift to the ground
This fall day, and darkness creeps
Creeps in as  the sun sets,
I think about twilight's glow,
decades we may yet see.
Dawn's arrival's a blessing –More so with tea.

Photo Credit: Oziel Gómez on Unsplash

If there ever was one thing
You could not fake it would be love.

Your actions would not match your words
Your focus would  be only on you
Your plans would consider only your interests and time

If there ever was one thing
You could not fake it would be love.

You would  avoid commitment
You would  keep separate your worlds
You would undependable and always distant

If ever there was one thing
You could not fake it would be love.

Your world would be a devoid
Of beauty, of wonder, of purpose;
You'd live in lies, and cruelty, and pain.

If there ever was one thing
You could not fake, it would be love.

Your heart would know and feel,
After a time, a loneliness so deep
That you would cease to exist.

Photo credit: Devon Divine on Unsplash