I searched for you in many places
Under the ancient roots of solid trees
Hidden soft
Between the powdered wings of dragonflies
I didn’t find you in the brush of a lover’s kiss
Nor in a baby’s needy touch
Did you linger
Momentarily
Over the parched brown lips of a dry river bed
Or within the soothing chant of a wandering saint

Where were you when
I searched that letter
Shredding it open like salad leaves
Where were you when
I swirled my hand through thick white fog Hoping to feel you finding me
Where were you in that deep dark corridor
Of forgotten dreams
Of wishes lost along their way Of unfulfilled desires

I thought I remembered seeing you laughing back at me
Through rusted hopes
Flitting past unopened doors, as I eyed you through the keyhole
It was but a shadow –
A grey
Penumbral thing flying past with a speed I couldn’t match
A brightness too blinding
A boldness too unforgiving

You were only a flash

And then you were gone
And then you were gone

Reyk, 2004