the poetry knook :: the poetry of stephen m. james :: indianapolis, indiana » smile

Like the Guy that never got married

Stephen M. James — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Running toward darkness
looking for someone who doesn’t have to smile,
searching for a mirror
so not to change myself–
too lazy to make time for devotions or
do I really want a wife that won’t be praying for me?

do I martyr myself with delusions of sacrifice:
breaking covenants and burning the cow
I’ve been given quite a few after all
to write poems about

if dreams are standards, this is a nightmare
can two reserved persons fall in love
and still love the world
like the Guy that never got married

Mind if I take a photo?

Stephen M. James — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Mind if I take a photo?
You smile. I smile.
Freezing you on my film? Can I?

Can I frame you in my mind
Like you once were
For you’ve run away.

You are not in this photo.
Same name, face, yes,
That was then.

Don’t want to chase,
Even if I could find you.
Who are you looking for, my friend?

The Face Behind the Font

Stephen M. James — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I hear your words,
I hear you speak as I read them.
I can’t see your face,
But I know you are there.
We talk in endless conversation,
Like two old friends, which by now we have become.
You tell me of people unknown, and
I the same tell you.
on and on in the dark we chat,
Not with our mouths, but with our hands.
the only audible noise is that of a finger on a key.
Not a face to be seen,
But a box on which your words appear.
I can see and hear you say them in my mind,
Knowing a few short days ago we talked face to face.
I heard your words and you heard mine,
I could see your smile and acknowledgement,
And i know in a few short days,
I’ll be able to see the face behind the font again.