By L.Penny
Date: 9 June 1998

Being first myself, second your own

You wanted me.

You wanted me soft and quiet and unadultered.  
You wanted me to kiss your neck and smoothe your hair 
    away from your eyes.  
You wanted sunshine every afternoon 
and dinner not made from a can, but from hands-
    my hands.
You wanted all I could give you.
You wanted to sleep-in until the sun was peaked and dropping.

I wanted to rise.

I made mysely a pair of wings from things I found lying around-
paperclips, string and crumpled love letters, mostly.

I found myself fading.

I found myself.

I flew.

I spread my wings and soared.

I came to perch beside you.