Song Without Words
SONG WITHOUT WORDS
-Rod McKuen
His poem:
I wanted to write you some words you'd remember
words so alert they'd leap from the paper
and crawl up your shoulder and lie by your ears
and be there to comfort you down through the years.
But it was cloudy that day and I was lazy
and so I stayed in bed just thinking about it.
I wanted to write you and tell you that maybe
love songs from lovers are unnecessary.
We are what we feel and writing it down
seems foolish sometimes without vocal sound.
But I spent the day drinking coffee, smoking cigarettes
and looking in the mirror practicing my smile.
I wanted to write you one last, long love song
that said what I felt one final time.
Not comparing your eyes and mouth to the stars
but telling you only how like yourself you are.
But by the time I thought of it, found a pen,
put the pen to ink, the ink to paper,
you were gone....
...and so, this song has no words.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My Poem
I wanted to send you off in an airplane ride
flying so freely up toward the heaven we
could’ve lived in. Not because I want you to fly
away from me, but because you deserve to
grow wings with endless beauty.
But instead I spent the day scribbling words
of sadness all over a crossword puzzle.
I wanted to believe we could have a future
with poppy seeds and lemongrass flowing
gently into your soft arms. My arms can’t hold
for very long, but yours were born to caress.
But instead I ate cereal and watched my favorite show
feeling unworthy to even say your name out loud.
I wanted to climb up your tree and live in a nest
built for only us two. Not because I want to be
alone with you but because I need to see you fly before I
learn how to fly; you teach me how to live.
But by the time I remembered, searching for my
typewriter, load the paper and take the time to type,
you were gone….
…and so, this song has no words.
Written By: Laura Loo
Date Written: April 11, 2016
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