by Janice Scott-Reeder
*
I've felt the cold North wind upon my skin,
And thirsted at midday in the summer's desert,
Tried to find my last breath in a warm Atlantic sea,
Touched the clouds on the back of a wooley Llama.
*
I've seen the things men can do to each other,
Cried buckets over childhood's innocence tarnished,
Held a butterfly without touching its beating wings,
Danced beneath the icey velvet skies of the Andes.
*
I've touched the last breath of a soul escaping pain,
Held the dying close to a breaking heart,
Watched the killing begin and never seem to end,
Seen the sun rise over mountains coloured in blood.
*
I've held the bloodied child at first breath,
Stroked its brow when there's no life left,
Taken things abhorrent into my fragile heart,
Tried to mend the souls so badly broken.
*
But never have I really ever lived and breathed,
Until the day I chanced to look within your soul.
In an instance, through laughter, I saw your pain,
And took you whole and broken into my spirit.
*
Within the chambers of my spirit's mansion,
I saw your flaws in all their perfection.
I could not help but love the light you brought,
As your eyes held me in passion's soft grip.
*
Between two steel curtains I saw the man,
And though I ran in fear and mounting confusion,
I fell in love with the lust I saw on your face.
Now I need to feel the heat of your hot touch.
*
The others will never chance to see,
The man that hides within the roles.
But naked before me you stand in fear,
It is you, not the mask, I hold dear.
*
I know the fear that trembles your heart.
You know I've never really loved.
I'll hold you up until I fall.
Just hold me tight each and every night.
*
I'll not ask you to change a thing.
I'm old enough to know your needs.
All your freedom I let you keep,
If you just touch me in love and lust.