I once occupied you.

Lived in your skin, 

Manifested in your movements, 

Danced in your shoes. 

In your flesh - 

I found myself

And learned love. 

(but)

I began to pour tea

without the spoon. 

And my mind became occupied. 

And my feet found new steps. 

You were no longer on the list

of what I held, 

not the captain

or cargo. 

(It doesn't take much

To find yourself

A thousand miles away)

Because you were me - 

And I was me - 

Then I was me - 

And you were

Her still. 

I could recognize your movements, 

your brushes against my skin.

My old in a man I knew. 

My love

we did not collapse

no one quit - 

You were me manifested in the flesh

and I became different. 

Did you know me then? 

With hair down to my waist

Caught in the screws of desks

(And always found in your food.)

With careful eyeliner

Unevenly applied 

(I tried my best) 

Smudged to self satisfaction 

Did you know me then? 

When you were defensively deaf

And blind to my reason

So I became wrapped in silence too. 

When we held hands 

Waxed on about basic philosophy

Waxed off in your bedroom

(I think I hear the door) 

You know me

As much as your toes

Through past injury and distance

I wiggle my fingers - old friend - hello.