THE PEDESTAL

"come down here," i said.
"down from that pedestal
i have chased you onto.
i long to hold you,
to trap you in my arms."

but it was no use.
you could not hear me,
way up there on the pedestal
built up high with my ignorance.

and you had no ears,
nor eyes. no, not even
a mouth with which
to claim your humanity.

so i climbed up there
to investigate your nature
and cornered you
in my enchanted analysis.

you withdrew, stepping backward,
you tripped and began your descent.
i ran as fast as a romantic's feet
could carry me, but..

i was not there
to catch you in my arms
when you fell.

i found you at the bottom
of it all, in fragments;
my shattered dream of you.

©Copyright 2003 Sheila Cook.