He rose from the table; and advancing to the master, basin and spoon in hand, said: somewhat alarmed at his own temerity:
'Please, sir, I want some more.'—Oliver Twist
“We’re theatre people. We hug.”
We used to do contact improvisation,
dancing with fellow students and strangers.
Look at us now—afraid to do more than just rub our feet together briefly reaching out from under our separate covers.
We don’t kiss,
because we love each other.
We don’t sleep in the same room,
because we love each other.
We don’t high five because we care.
We look at each other warily through glass.
We reach out to each other through glass.
Even when you’re in the next room.
It’s just a phase.
All relationships go through change.
It’s beautiful in a way.
As we give each other space to breathe,
Space to think
Space to get lost in our thoughts
In our feedback loops and echo chambers.
It’s just a phase.
We’ll get through this and laugh at how crazy it seemed at first when it was new.
‘Easy come, easy go’
‘You can’t take it with you’
All that shit that’s easy to say when you’re poor
Would you rather be trapped on a deserted island alone,
Or with someone you hate?
Would you rather be the sand castle
Or the wave?
You were unknowable.
And I listened so hard.
‘Sometimes when I look deep into your eyes
I swear I can see your soul.’
It’s just a phase-a story we’ll be able to tell.
A ready made script for a theater piece we’ll do together.
I really want us to look each other in the eyes
and be able to say that we’ve still got it.
No risk, no fun.
We can only tap on glass for so long before we start to forget.
And I don’t want to forget.
Such an intellectual exercise.
I’d like some more please.
Would you rather be a tree, or live in a tree?
Would you rather be the sand castle or the wave?
Before this is over
I’d like some more, please.
I’m reaching out to you.
I’m reaching out.
©2020 by David Leicht. All rights reserved.