March, 2010
Know Enough
What I’m trying to say is
when I pick up the phone
I know you don’t know my
name enough to pick up
When you say no no no
that I am wrong
I know you don’t know
enough to know
Even now even now
when you say I am an island
how do you know?
you don’t know my name
When you say you understand
you’re the keeper of me
how do you know?
you do know I love you
But that I’m afraid
is that what you know?
I should prove it
do I prove I’m scared?
I know you’re waiting
don’t I know it
but you wouldn’t know enough
to answer the phone
Pointless
Ignore me then.
The one spark
that’s kept you moving this long
the breath in your blood
that blows through toward something
(anything) like redemption–
Go ahead
shove me away, box me up
as if I don’t exist or never did
as if my tears or this anger
don’t act as icebox and furnace
to your very core:
until you can’t breathe for the empathy.
I get it
you’re a rock, an island
adrift in a sea too deep for your anchor
too embroiled in your old songs
and last ditch efforts
to prove to yourself, to the world
that I’m not here.
So prove it
show me
Show me
that your soul doesn’t beat to my rhythm
that you can pick up and move on
that you’ll return to ignorance
(when the whole world’s screaming)
that you don’t give a damn.
Go on then.
I’m waiting.