With your pen and your smile
Saw the palms of your hands dirtied
…saw the black in your nails
(So I held them till it was all gone)
You’d try to keep the balloons trapped
Beneath the umbrella till we’d reach the hill
& at the top they’d escape
& I’d tried to catch them
(They would always get away)
Until I caught one…
& you looked to me
Till we held each other
Don’t say you’re gonna die
Unless you’re gonna come home
Don’t say you’re gonna cry
Unless you’re gonna hurt something
Don’t say you’re gonna leave
Until you mean something…
BY CLAYTON SHAUL
