As I stumble in this cave of eternal darkness
Y our name comes into my mind
Toes are feeling for sharp rocks and glass
(more often than not they are found)

Farther in, deeper still
the cave grows smaller, the darkness darker
Shards of broken ceramic and splinters of wood 
scrape my fingers as I flail for balance
	something to hold.

My eyes are open but nothing's to be seen 
At the end I know (?) there is softness 
There all is warm and beautiful
But it seems so far...

I press on, closer to the end
And farther from the beginning
Oh why did I start?
I saw you from the opening
	You held out a rose 
	You seemed so close
The ceiling is lower now 
My clothes take up too much room
I leave them behind my protection
It's worth it to catch a glimpse of you
Can I?
Please?

Oh darling I am suffocating there is no air left in this place and I don't see you where did you go it's so enclosing I cannot move you are gone.........

As I stumble in the darkness 
I wonder if this hole will never end.


						





copyright 1997 Rachael Lee