So sad
by Mo Irvine © 2006
Join me, you say,
and we will walk
along the beach.
But our walk becomes
a sad procession
with me following
in your lonely footsteps.
I hurry forward,
reach for your cold hand,
but you switch your stick
from one side to the other
telling me
without words
that even though I feel
the heat of your body
this gulf between us
must not be breached.
My steps falter
and I walk behind once more,
stooping to inspect a shell,
a pebble,
a grain of sand,
to hide my tears.
I weep for you
and for me
and for the whole world.
Two out of three I can't change –
didn't someone write a song
about that once?
But I think I am living the song
in reverse and I feel
so dead inside,
so sad.
You say you would like
to give me things but you can't.
I cry
because the only thing I want
is the one thing
you don't know how to give.