kindness in bed…
“note to a former lover”
we were silverware
together in bed.
i could turn
to see you breathe,
laying inches from
your lips.
sometimes you woke up
smiling, askin’ me
what i was thinking ’bout.
i lost my answer in
your eyes &
still you reached
over my shoulder
to rub red scratch
marks you’d left
hours before.
finally i told you i was
thinking about me &
you down the line; it
was a pipe-dream & it
felt so good to pull you
close to me, even
if it wasn’t close enough.
today we wake up so
many miles apart;
i can’t see you breathe,
no scratches to soothe,
& whatever questions remain
concern friendship &
not slick-skinned
entanglement at the
doorway to paradise.
if you ever read this,
you’ll know how much
it meant to watch you
inhale; seeing your
chest rising & falling
in the darkness.
beauty wrapped magic
smiling at me & never
knowing how much
it meant to see you
breathe.
——————————————-
Dedicated to a few angels who took in a wounded poet and made him understand love & generosity, My terpsichore may be on a wayward trajectory, but kindness & acceptance in the face of rejection is worth it’s weight in gold. Thanks to all my angels for a nudge in the right direction,
the fools back pocket 
December 21, 2010 at 2:42 am
Lovely tribute to them! I’m sure they’ll appreciate it. Sometimes it matters so much just to watch, just to get lost in those moments. It hurts like hell when they’re gone, but well, the fact that they were once there always brings a smile. Wonderful poem! I could really feel this one.
December 21, 2010 at 3:07 am
Glad you liked it. I was smoking a cigarette and got the image in my head of something that happened years ago and wanted to put into a poem. Oddly enough, most of my ex’s don’t read my poetry, so I guess I’m safe on that count. You are totally right about it hurting like hell, but it does get better as time goes on.
Thrilled you liked the poem, and glad you felt it. Thanks for the kind words, they are most appreciated.
crb.
December 21, 2010 at 2:46 am
we were silverware
together in bed.
i could turn
to see you breathe,
laying inches from
your lips.,,,
this is my favorite!
May you always have an angel around you to make you smile!
December 21, 2010 at 3:25 am
Let us hope so. They only seem to come out in moments of true distress. Very happy you liked the poem, hope you have a great day.
crb.
December 21, 2010 at 3:21 am
I think what should be able to express the way you do.. liked it..it also show your courage to reveal and open your heart.. essential traits for poetry..
Would love if you could visit my page and honor me with your feedback..
December 21, 2010 at 3:40 am
Thanks for the visit, and I did visit your site and enjoyed reading your poetry. No reason to write poetry if you aren’t willing to open yourself up and force honesty into the poems. Appreciate the compliment and agree wholeheartedly.
crb.
December 21, 2010 at 3:22 am
oops mistake in my comment..Read ‘one’ should be able to and not ‘what’
December 21, 2010 at 11:34 am
each time a true poet speaks, words grow wings…
these take flight.
superb write crb.
December 21, 2010 at 1:39 pm
True poet huh? Careful, your making my ego big. lol. Thanks for the high compliment and I am glad you dug the poem. Writing this one was a lot of fun despite having to think back on some pretty good nights leading to some pretty bad ones. Still, I’ve no fear of letting people in to see what’s below the surface, assuming they really wanna find out.
Thanks so much for your kindness, hope you are having a good day. Take it easy,
crb.
December 21, 2010 at 2:43 pm
you have it in you C… should you ever seriously put you mind to it. And my standard is notorious as you might guess :))
best of the festives!!
December 21, 2010 at 4:53 pm
Well thanks kindly, I am trying as hard as I can to work on my poetry. I too have very high standards and know most poetry is not really poetry but simple words. That’s not what I am going for. That said, can’t thank you enough for all the kind comments. There have been some seriously bad days saved by the support I get from all the comments here.
When it comes to poetry, it is an all or nothing kinda game. I hope to hell to you are right about “it” being in me, I want nothing more than to become a good poet. That people take their precious time and read something I wrote makes me so happy; it’s the best high I know of (and I know a lil bit about that…lol)
Best of the festives to you too. One of these days I might even tell everyone my real name…lol!!! Take it easy,
crb.
December 21, 2010 at 11:48 am
So lovely. Well done!
December 21, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Thanks for stopping by. Glad you liked it,
crb.
December 21, 2010 at 3:56 pm
This was a contemplative thoughtful piece.
December 21, 2010 at 4:55 pm
Glad ya liked it. Haven’t heard from ya much, hope all is well in your corner of the world. Take care,
crb.
December 21, 2010 at 4:04 pm
A very lovely musing on the comfort and wonder of love, though it be gone.
December 21, 2010 at 4:56 pm
Doesn’t all love eventually end? Maybe, maybe not. Either way, I am thrilled you dug the poem and very thankful for your kind words. Take it easy,
crb.
December 21, 2010 at 5:28 pm
Ah, kissing kissing, that’s what I’ve been missing..but less of that. Great tribute, I haven’t a clue where it leads but it’s fun whilst it lasts š
December 21, 2010 at 5:55 pm
Well, unfortunately the only place it leads is to sleeping alone, but being an insomniac, that isn’t a big deal. But it is wonderfunl to get to taste the honey every once in a while. Go get kissed, but make it someone worth it. Take care & good luck,
crb.
December 21, 2010 at 5:47 pm
this one brought a tear to my eye. Love is all of it but there are those simple things that make the difference – always
a beautiful poem
thanks for your comment
December 21, 2010 at 5:53 pm
Anytime mdw. I’m not sure I know anything about love (shit, ask all my ex’s!) but I’m happy you enjoyed it and hope the tear was a happy one, not a sad one. And you are correct, it is the simple things that make the difference in life. Until we find whatever it is we’re looking for, the search continues. Have a good one and stop by anytime.
crb.
December 21, 2010 at 6:31 pm
I love!!! Beyond…thanks š
December 21, 2010 at 7:55 pm
We do aim to please. Glad ya liked it, and take it easy,
crb.
December 21, 2010 at 6:40 pm
Ah, the fitting together of the silverware, the feel of the other as a natural extension of yourself and the world, inseparable, but unfortunately, not really. Sometimes you go to the drawer and wonder where all the spoons have gone…sad and lingering poem, CF.
December 21, 2010 at 8:01 pm
I have a sentimental side; it’s just buried under a lot of disastrous experiences. I do know what a moment of love feels like so I took that and went from there. The sadness behind it is the fleeting nature of the experience. I’m fine alone, but the story is a good one to tell, eh? What can ya do but try?
Glad you got the spoon reference. Worked well to set the mood of the poem. Thanks much for stopping by,
crb.
December 21, 2010 at 7:04 pm
Oh, this is romantic, sad, seductive and sweet all at once! I definitely know how it feels to be beside another one night, watching the rising and falling of his chest, and then be alone in the same bed the next night.
December 21, 2010 at 8:09 pm
Glad you could identify with the scene. It is everything you said and I’m almost in awe of the whole process. Guess that’s part of the BIG picture; ya gotta see both sides of the coin to appreciate the other. Thanks for stopping through,
crb.
December 21, 2010 at 7:07 pm
“never
knowing how much
it meant to see you
breathe” – truly beautiful. This is quite poignant for me,after 28 years of marriage, I still on occasion wake up to find my husband watching me breathe.
December 21, 2010 at 8:04 pm
Always glad to see your avatar here at TFBP. Glad you liked the imagery. Most of the story is in those moments when we don’t even know we are together. Congrats on the 28 years; I hear the second 28 get even better! Thanks for reading/commenting/complimenting.
crg.
December 21, 2010 at 8:04 pm
slick-skinned
entanglement at the
doorway to paradise – oh man, so wish I’d written that
Such a sense of loss and longing in this.
we were silverware
together in bed. – made me think of Billy Collins’s poem ‘Divorce’ and if you can put me in mind of Collins you’re doing something right. Loved this from start to finish.
December 21, 2010 at 8:16 pm
Nailed it in one. There is a certain longing that runs through all my poetry and this was a close up examination of it. I’ve mentioned it many times, but the search continues.
Holy shit, you just compared me to Billy Collins…ego is rising by the minute.(lol) I’ve only read a few of his poems but have loved what I’ve read. I will check out the one you mentioned. Glad you enjoyed the poem,
crb.
December 21, 2010 at 9:45 pm
I love watching my man sleep, I would really miss that if he was gone.
December 21, 2010 at 9:53 pm
Glad you liked the poem. Best of luck in love.
crb.
December 21, 2010 at 9:47 pm
Brillant really think this is the best ….love the first stanza (the silverware line) and all the rest..the breathing …just watching someone breath and the visions of maybe and maybe not…years passing and remembering all in one great read…thank you…bkm
December 21, 2010 at 10:01 pm
Considering your significant poetic talent, I consider that a great compliment. I’m not sure I’m brilliant, but I love writing poetry and using imagery that people can identify with. It is difficult to keep a reader emotionally involved in the poem but I do the best I can with that. Now if I could find someone to watch me sleep I’d be set. (lol) Glad you liked the poem, Hope all is well in bkm’s world.
crb.
crb.
December 21, 2010 at 11:02 pm
Each love and lover is unique; I once thought when one or another left, married, faded from view I would eventually forget; but I didn’t. I remember them, distilled them and eventually wrote them as you did here. This was written well, in a unique voice with tenderness of memory. Merry Christmas dear..have a happy holiday and new year.
December 22, 2010 at 4:04 pm
Thanks kindly Gay. What you said is very true. Having had a decent number in my life, I can def. agree to that. Very happy you enjoyed the poem, have a Merry xmas & a great new year as well. Take care,
crb.
December 22, 2010 at 2:34 pm
this was good….and you never forget…the memories people leave can stay with you forever…a great poem..(again) that you shared with One Shot..all the best Pete
December 22, 2010 at 4:01 pm
Thanks Pete, loved your submission as well. Always a pleasure when you come around. Take it easy,
crb.
December 22, 2010 at 2:45 pm
Wonderful things can happen in bed. Nice One Shot!
December 22, 2010 at 4:00 pm
Thanks for swinging through. Take it easy dude,
crb.