Tiptoes


(Read this as two separate poems, or as one straight across. I'm not quite sure how it's supposed to work, an experiment, if you will.)

‘You waited’ said he.		As we walked.
‘I did’ said I.			Thought ‘I can’t do this’and
he said ‘why?’			‘Oh God, help me say this’
‘I need to talk to you’ said I	but I began, and he looked . . . 
‘Okay’ he said . . . 		like a criminal flinching at a ~
‘I don’t’ said I		          fire squad.
His eyes asked ‘why?’		and I wished I hadn’t had to say
‘I just can’t tell you’ said I	So I held back the truth
‘Great’ he said			with a forced smile
‘Alright’ said I		         with a relieved sigh.
We both wanted to cry	          I defeat you, and that can’t change

ismene 2/98

Good Times! 1