20.6.12

That one word.

If I were to write one word 
on a pristine, white sheet of paper,
and hand it to you - folded neatly 
like the memory of your first kiss - 
on a Sunday afternoon in your kitchen,
let's say... five years from now  
(just to play at precision ),
by the window or at the sink,
what would you want it to be,
that one word, and in what color ink? 

The reason I ask is I know a lot of words, 
but not all, and not all the important ones.
And also, some shades of red - should that be your choice -
can only be had from gently roasting and then crushing to a fine powder 
the soft shells of a certain kind of langoustine 
only to be found off the coast of Norway,
and certain shades of blue only from a mixture of moon rocks 
and the saliva of a decendant of the Iban people of northern Borneo.
I'm just trying to be prepared, you see,
for when you'll need me to write you one word.

7 comments:

  1. My first reaction to this lovely poem was to say what word would I want, and what trials would my love go through, what is the depth of that love? So this poem haunts me with the afternoon in the kitchen and the moment in 5 years and how to get some shades of red or blue. I reject the idea of irony from a man on the border of truth and lies, and embrace depth of love from the same voice. Thank you!

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  2. Live - in the nicest shade of blue.

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    1. I know that word. And I guess I can make it to the moon and Borneo and back in five years time.

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  3. Man, don't write more. Or else you'll have one more fan. :D

    Your new follower here. Absolutely loved the post! :)

    www.inthepourinrain.blogspot.com

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    1. We've just met and I've already disappointed you: I just posted another one. :)

      Thank you kindly!

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  4. i laugh. i want to tell you the one word and then i realize, for each day, for each moment, for each recipient, the word would be different. and then i realize it is each word in my life that i yearn to speak or think or give reverence to and so all i can do is be quiet and live)))

    but i want to say: this, or holy or please, or thank you

    xo
    erin

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Stranger, if you passing meet me and desire to speak
to me, why should you not speak to me?
And why should I not speak to you?

Walt Whitman