By tenderspoet
Date: 26 January 2000

Next To Oxygen And Water

Two hundred and ten days ago
you didn't exist.
I had what I needed---
no gaping holes in my life
no regrets, no longing
no damned Edith Piaf songs---
and suddenly----you.

I didn't know your voice,
couldn't have placed your laugh
and your face was just
pleasing features
without a name.
I was capable of breathing, 
speech, living in fact.
And I kept waiting
for you to fade,
like colors do after a while.

And instead you took on texture
and taste
grew more vivid by the day
until I had to admit that I needed you.
The loving part was easy then.
The hard part---
the awful unspeakable part
was when I knew 
how precious and needful
you had become to me.

You aren't water, air, or oxygen.
I won't die without you.
But I live so much better
knowing that you're there,
my spirit elemental
touched by fire and flame
until I glow warm
with your easy regard.