By kate
Date: 8 March 1998

Tiptoes

read either as two poems, or as one straight across.  It's an experiment
and needs work, input welcome

"You waited" he said			as we walked
"I did" said I				thought "I can’t do this" and
he said "Why?"			        "Dear Lord help me say this."
"I need to talk to you" said I		but I began and he looked . . . 
"Okay" he said			        like a criminal flinching at
"I don’t" said I			 . . . the firing squad
his eyes asked "why?"			and I wished I hadn’t had to say 
"I just can’t tell you" said I		so I help back the truth
"Great" he said			        with a forced smile
"Alright" said I			with a relieved sigh
we both should have cried.		I defeat you and circumstances	
					can’t change