Stay Close to Me

All I want for Christmas

is more strokes of your breath

against my face as you touch

my life and leave indented mark.

I need to unclench my fists

and hold you close – a broken

winged bird but intact heart.

Let me barricade the whispers

of dark night when your race

is ended as I shed damp tears

of yesterday wanting you

to beat the odds and climb

the highest mountain,

borrowing the shades of life,

straightening limp blades of grass.

When the hidden shadows sigh

a soft release, let me murmur

reluctant acceptance of loss

as soul filters into the night

streaming away from me as

you remain forever in my essence

Give me the strength to endure

the somber silence and allow you

to breathe deeply of the sea,

to be free and fill your lungs,

memories diving beneath surface

but floating above and close to me.

All I really want is to share

another Christmas with you.