In the Absence of You (a poem)

Rain Dance -Tera Zajack 

olive hue designs

In the Absence of You

I am dancing

barefoot

my tears falling

unseen

in the rain

streaking

down

hard and fast

against my red dress

billowing

out

outside

in the rain

you danced

barefoot

and I held

hard and fast

to my rules

you’ll catch the death of a cold

I said

and you knelt down

and took off my shoes

and we danced

barefoot

together

and you laughed

and I said

Watch out

and you said

don't stop

look and listen

to the rain

nothing can hurt you

when you're dancing

in the rain 

with me

and my bare feet felt

the cold hard cobblestones

trembling

I stopped

and you danced ahead

urging me on

and I cried, 

Stop

but it was

too late

to stop

look

and listen

before you cross

the street

empty now

I feel the absence

of you

dancing

in the rain.

This poem was written using the prompt provided over at dVerse poets and Brian Miller. The fantastic poetics prompt Brian has cooked up features four Tera Zajack's paintings along with an interview of the artist herself. 

Let yourself be inspired. Visit dVerse poets and be part of the magic.


An addendum:


Maureen inspired me to record In the Absence of You.  also, when I was a little girl, I learned a verse to protect me when crossing the street. I make reference to it in the poem -- which for those who don't know it, was from a Safety Bear whose name I forget but whose verse I've never forgotten:  


Stop
Look
and Listen
before you cross the street.


Use your eyes 
and use your ears
before you use your feet.


In the Absence of You

12 18 2011 9 05 AM by Louiseg88