tilting at windmills
the void between you and I
faint heart never won fair lady
but bridging the void between you and I
made me dizzy with fear
...
for how dare an ordinary soul in all my
human frailty woo a goddess or court an angel,
what boastful temerity might impel me
...
or what worthy offering might I make
for I possessed neither looks nor physical prowess
save a plentiful wit and clever repartee
...
and yet destiny impelled where courage failed
my thoughts of love like a faery castle in the clouds,
true love, it seemed, demanded a leap of faith
...
but for three long years I yearned for you
at a distance, dreaming the impossible dream,
tilting at windmills, like the man of La Mancha
...
my perfect love held at bay by the terror of the leap
separating us even though I knew that I would
rue my failure to act to the end of my days
...
I remember your piteous gaze as if I had seen you
only yesterday, your features flashing briefly
before vanishing, powerful emotions rebirthed
...
convulsing my throat with forgotten awe
thoughts emptied for a few precious seconds
of the terrible burden of language
...
Words alone could never revive those feelings –
that former mixture of terror and joy
which once upon a time froze me in place
...
Only a profound and mysterious
magic can stir them from their deep slumber,
awakening unlooked and unbidden
...
Your face bathed in a shimmering column of light,
motes of effervescent dust rising up, ascending
like angels, climbing Jacob's ladder to the stars
...
my inertia broken by energy that a moment
before was wanting, a tonic compressing time
into the immeasurable vastness of now
...
the radiance of your features drawing me slowly
forward, like a numinous dream, life slipping
from my throat in small and terrifying bursts
...
but the feelings were mine and mine alone and with a weary
shake of your head, I played the fool while leaning forward
in dizzy terror plummeting, the breath torn from my lungs
...
fifty years past, that emptiness in my chest haunts me still
and I wonder why the emotions of youth are so much
greater than in the wisdom and maturity of old age
About the Creator
John Cox
Where would you like to travel? Who would you like to meet? No ticket required, a surprise at every destination guaranteed. Strap on your time travel goggles and bring a compass. It's sometimes bumpy in my imagination, so hold on tight!
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