Caught Up

In lieu of you
I found distraction
in a box of petty things
that came to catch
and feed attention
quelling qualms
of diamond rings

In lieu of you
I came to ponder
what light means in brighter terms
and thought about
the eye of wonder
the heat that makes
the fire burn

In lieu of you
I caught a moment
splashing color on the floor
and when I asked it
for its number
it laughed and drew
a twenty-four

How long to wait
for hearts to beat
like drums of dancers on the street
like fragile wings
of butterflies
kissing beggars
on their cheeks

With you I found
another world
filled with luckless lovers’ lore
caught up in this
distraction fails
and I’ll stop to think
of you once more

NS 10.30.2009