ALONE ~ TOGETHER
Here we are, together ~ alone…
Sitting at opposite sides of the room.
You, head in hand, on the rocking chair;
Me, wondering how to reach you there.
Or wondering whether I should.
Or should I just leave you alone?
All I can hear is the cuckoo clock
Beating a steady pace: “TICK ~ TOCK,”
Keeping time with the kitchen clock:
A nervous “tic-tic-tic-tic-tic” ~ STOP!!
This deafening silence ~ I could scream!
I just want to call out your name,
Or say something just to reach you.
But I wonder if you want me to.
And I don’t even know what I’d say
That could really matter anyway.
And I honestly wonder whether
We know what we’re doing here
Alone ~ together…
~ Shelley Evans
Named after poet Percy Shelley, nature inspires Shelley Evans; several poems are published, and she’ll publish a book soon. Shelley’s a wife, mother, secretary, WOK member, participates in open mic nights at Dagnys, CSUB’s poetry readings, and has entered poetry in the Kern County Fair. Rhyming is breathing to Shelley.