FINALLY...THE GIFT

EVERY SECOND--CHANGES OCCUR 

Pages from my past,

an ethereal dream, 

the lost years 

and the present...

 BEFORE AND AFTER

Voices I heard, like

in distance muffled,

ethereal:

[Even today I can recollect

smells and tastes

of that ether

suffocating under mask

held so tightly by doctor...

his task:

to kill me.

“Operation success.

Patient died.”

And there I,

age five.

Helpless!

devoid

of tonsils,

adenoid,

for breakfast--

ice cream!]

While 'under' I dreamed

so true, it seemed:

“From across great hall

seated on bench, I saw

child running so fast

to catch Santa's last

Eve' in the mall!

Man (from North Pole?),

whiskey bottle in hand

wore dingy blues

thinly threaded,

and oil soaked shoes,

holes in soles, and

dirty-blue headband

'Running' boy climbed on lap,

he looked really sad.

Through tears, said softly

'It's Okay...Dad'.”

Observing all this

finally I know...

how frequently I missed

the 'whole show'.

Drunken isolation.

Fear of rejection then.

And now?

I thrive on greeting,

meeting for a spell;

connecting with

not only friends,

but strangers as well.

I used to gaze down at the floor.

Always.

While hastily seeking any door.

Escape!

I found that 'way out'

--wanted to shout

about the discovery

about my recovery

Now looking forward,

never wanting to miss

split-second glance

of a Peep's eyes,

your eyes...your smiles,

hugs of meaningful support,

possible sweet kiss!

Steveroni

2011 December 26

*inspired by Claudia's “Christmas tree” poem on diverse

Written For DVERSE Poets Pub
Open Link Night
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