Contributor: John Tustin

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If you were next to me
Now
I would be crying and smiling
Softly sobbing
With the surrender of missed chances
And the validation
That beyond tomorrow
Lies the future

The future of your hands
In the graying coarseness of my
Hair
Stroking my slowing body
Back to quickness

Your lips on the edge of my ear
Voice subtle in the dark
Of the night
Of my heart

We would come to the bed
And stare face to face
The brilliant coal of your eyes
Becoming diamonds

As I hold my breath
And fall in love with you
In the renewed faith
Of our shared space
Among the falling
And the fallen
And the attempting
To rise again


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