Robin Amy Bass

THE TRUTH

I have written many words of poetry and prose
I have often stretched a line or two
I have written songs of love and poems that break the heart
Dedicated more than just a few

To describe the way I feel, when I can’t tell you straight
Me, who always has something to say,
If you saw inside of me, perhaps you’d comprehend
My heart has not shown up for one day

Only to inspect the goods – and have a little taste
Do you think me capable of that?
Well perhaps I’m capable, but you can rest assured
That’s a side that’s never coming back

You would be surprised to learn how long I’ve held this torch
How I’ve learned to modulate the blaze
Rather than devour you, I hold myself in check
Patiently I navigate this maze

Turn it into syllables, or words that have a rhyme
Writing, like a child, must be conceived
I have written closure songs and verse about the war
Of the times you told me I should leave

Some of what I write about is all to do with you
In the past you used to turn away
Now I see a wall removed so I make my advance
Brick by brick it crumbles into clay

Till there is a lining so protective, I can’t see
Inside of the core you say is you
So I sit here patiently until you let me in
Tapping on my keyboard till you do

Sometimes when I talk to you, a line floats in the air
I reach out and grab it from the sky
Other times it’s just a word or look that’s on your face
I can’t find the nerve to ask you why

Somewhere in that layer of protection, I surmise
You are wrapped inside so nice and tight
Nobody can penetrate this wall that you have built
I suppose the timing was not right

For those who came inspecting you, and left you to yourself
Waiting for the pain to dissipate
They tried to dissect you, but instead they stole your trust
I hope I have not showed up too late

All I ever wanted – was a second chance to love
Seeing how the first went up in flames
How do I assure you, that my feet are planted firm
Please don’t put me in that list of names

Of those who left you in the lurch, and those who could not stay
Of those whose good intensions disappeared
Your demons may be daunting, but they won’t scare me away
Ironic, but the only thing I’ve feared

Is doing something foolish, or not saying quite enough
I’m scared someone will spirit you away
Then there are those moments when we both are insecure
So I choose to write down what I say

And keep the message simple, in a complicated sphere
The hall way to my heart not misconstrued
And you can go and come and go and go and come again
My present and my future is with you