my hand

I calculate the risk, deciding to

reach out my hand 

from where I stand to where you stand

So far all I feel is the wind

in the place where you may have been

at one time you may have been

ready

open

willing

but the days weeks months and years change us

the tears and laughter leave residue where we walked

I want to retrace my steps

and examine each memory as if it still had breath

but no, all I feel is the wind

now and stretching out into the coming days

the rain will join the wind

howling like love was truly lost

howling like a thousand Novembers.

so, I am shivering in this place

not exactly home but still so familiar

the side of that hill 

the bench with the stories

I walk with your image heavy in my head and hands

a shadow projection of what was

shivering and howling with where we are now

my hand reaching out 

from where I stand to where you stand

and you leave me there

with the swirling storm 

in the whispering and screeching skies.