Pull Two Ways

swept off my feet is to put it mildly
impact upon me by young women I love
who love me

love of some men as well, in response to poetry

shaken to think of it, to talk of it
think of these affairs in the face of inevitably going to die

the possibility of dying suddenly or dying early

already on earth three years beyond Shakespeare's 52
but will I keep, be here as long as Tolstoy

I know I am unable to afford to relax
I know it is because of living urgently
I get the responses I get, I have the friends I have,
the friendships

in Barbados, in South Africa,
friend from Spain in the U.S.A.

people I am thoroughly in love with

girls I go about among, here on New Providence
women I see regularly who serve me

appreciation so deep
you can feel it in your bones and in your blood

I've not known life more intensely than I do now

living as I've been doing for four or so years
as if each day were my last

why had I not lived like this since I was born
like I must have lived in the womb, from conception

the urgency of all that had to be accomplished
in nine months to be ready for March 31st

every day I am born again one day I'd be gone


© Obediah Michael Smith, 2009
11:57 p.m. 06.10.09