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metamorphosis of fall

by Gira Bryant

I can feel it
changing, writhing
just below the surface

pointed eel nose
just as ready to
electrocute as ever

but

yes, but

the edginess has
somewhat given way
to an almost-seeming
certainty

wouldn't want to
count those birds in the
bush now, no
that would be
presumption

wouldn't want to
ignore them entirely
either, that might
easily be misconstrued
as minimizing meaning

how to walk
this tightrope
strung between
wanting you, so
breathless and wide eyed
hoping perhaps you
stick around, for a
little while, just
for this

and the violent
desire to shove you
furiously away
if you're going to leave

although I already
know how this pans out
know you will

No one stays, not
really, not forever
there is no ever after

so forgive me
while I ignore that
for now

forgive me if
everything seems so intense
(it is)
forgive me if
I cram too much
into these brief short
moments because

winter comes

I can't say how or when or where
but one morning
you'll be really gone
and there won't even
be half glimpsed
fantasies of feverish
vain imagined machinations
to give dull bittersweet
comfort

you're not really here
what can I say?

I'll deny reality
whatever that may be
as long as I can

as long as we can
defy it.

10/26/2007

Posted on 10/26/2007
Copyright © 2024 Gira Bryant

Member Comments on this Poem
Posted by Kathleen Wilson on 10/26/07 at 08:01 PM

Love the intensity and equivalencies here, love the way it opens up and becomes clear-- the "fall" in every sense--and how intimate and honest and direct about it you are. "Yes, "defy" --it is all we can do. Beautiful.

Posted by Joe Cramer on 10/30/07 at 12:14 PM

Exceptionally well done!

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