I Am

I Am

I am
peering through keyholes
searching out lives that matter.
I am
a bullying wind pushing a field
of wheat stalks into submission.
I am
laughter that spills out of your eyes
like two full cups of coffee.
I am
morning missiles, yawns,
body stretching and the weather channel.
I am
a poet searching for those words
that play hide-n-seek until I yell
all the all the outs in free!
I am
the memories of the past my father knows
and the visions of the future my son fears.
I am
the exhaust valve that taps, the rusted out
tail pipe that clangs against the body frame
of that ’68 Caddy I love so much,
the one with the fins,
the one that makes me look so cool
when I drive it with the top down.
I am
the toilet paper stuck to the bottom of your shoe
as you leave the stall, and
I am
your friend that removes it
when you aren’t looking.
I am
the moaning, the groaning, the passion of sex,
the long wet kisses when no one is around
and time doesn’t matter.
I am
the warmth of your body next to mine
when you can no longer bear the pain
and embarrassment of chemo treatments.
I am
the oak tree in your backyard, proud and erect,
sheltering you from the Summer sun, and
unwilling to let go so easily the last red leaf
before the Winter moves in.
I am
these words at sunrise, before I shower,
before I brush my teeth, before I am fully awake.
I am
the sensual movements your body makes
as you dance to your favorite song on the radio.
I am
the steam rising from a bowl of homemade soup,
the butter melting on homemade bread fresh from the oven.
I am
the clock next to your bed that wakes you
and reminds you that it is only 2 am.
I am
that yes! moment when you are able to play the chord changes
on your guitar of a song you’ve been practicing for two weeks.
I am
your favorite novel in your favorite chair, that sits by the window,
while you sit in the warmth of the early Springtime sun.
I am
a father to three
and a father of two
I am
an anomaly, not an enemy, not an anemone
as my daughter might say.
I am
peering through keyholes
searching out lives that matter.
I am
looking for you.