By Gala
Date: 9 July 2000

Skinned Knees of the Heart

I remember soaring via jump rope,
faster and faster
tripping over myself
and landing hard on concrete
scraping both knees
and howling my anguish
as much for the joy that ended
as the pain that began
in the very same instant.
And i never forgot the moment,
never forgot what that felt like---
and now I'm feeling that again---
jumping higher and faster
your fingers holding mine
soaring again,
my heart in my mouth
waiting for you to take it
with your next kiss
knowing i might trip,
knowing I could fall
knowing I could skin my heart
and leave a scab
that I will pick at forever
to remind myself of you
even if it hurts,
even if it bleeds,
because loving you is worth the cost
of the memory...

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