On a Pier

by Vernon Waring
(King of Prussia, PA-USA)

You're waiting for me
somewhere on a pier
silent in the mist
fog surrounding you
your hands trembling -
how i miss that tremble -
your fingers moving nervously
feverishly
like knitting needles
flashing in the wind
so palpable so wondrous
and you're waiting for me

I think of you always
and will miss you forever
whatever swept you away
that brusque winter morning
has departed long ago
we never said good-bye
or held hands
or kissed
there were no final gestures

Weeks later
in a sleepless moment
I thought I saw you
standing near me
looking serious and bewildered
but I know my mind was playing tricks on me
now I can only hope
you hear these words
hear the ache in my voice
the longing that is ceaseless
the words rolling ever so slowly
toward you
waiting there
on that nameless mystical pier