life, anxiety, and hammocks

If we didn’t fight so much. And if I reminded you more of the girl you used to think was “the one”. And if Mercury never went into retrograde. And if I left you a million messages and notes a day. And if I wasn’t “difficult”. And if you didn’t have to work so much. And if we could be young again. And if I did everything differently. And if I didn’t take you so seriously. And if you had seen what else was out there for you while you had the chance. And if grass really isn’t greener on the other side, but grayer. And if we were older. And if you were ready. And if I wasn’t. And if we were even in the same book only 5 pages apart. And if I didn’t feel like I was failing again. And if somehow we could find our way through this. And if we couldn’t keep our hands off each other. And if I didn’t want 4 kids. And if we could be happy. And if I never mentioned our house. And if you didn’t have to think about mowing the lawn. And if I would cook more often. And if we could talk about being in love for the rest of our lives. And if you could look at me with love in your eyes laugh and tell me I can’t get another puppy. And if I got one anyway. And if it was a golden Labrador. And if I was healthy. And if we could have dinner parties. And if I was proud of you and you were proud of me. And if my family didn’t drive everyone crazy. And if you told me you couldn’t decide on a fall or summer wedding. And if all of my friends were jealous again. And if you looked at me and saw a life full of light and laughter and children. And if I wasn’t afraid. And if you were the sure one. And if we never, ever, ever ate tofu. And if I gave up everything I wanted except for you. And if I was sweeter. And if you were less angry. And if we could actually go on vacations. And if I learned how to not be sarcastic. And if I didn’t spell theatre with an “R-E”….. Then?

Then could could we have a hammock in our backyard?

harvest moon

the moon hung low that night
low, scarred and a deep orange
like fruit ready to fall
from the comfort of being high on a limb
she felt sympathy for the moon
stuck inbetween

she glanced up
one last time
and felt
kindred



© 2008 by Danielle Romanick

harvest moon two

* So I apparently wrote this poems twice -the plan was to erase "harvest moon" and replace it with the following rewritten one. As it turns out - I like them both. *

walking late
into the night
searching for reasons
in past regrets
the skies hold
a harvest moon
hung low
stained
deep orange
supple fruit
ripe and about to fall
ready to be torn away
from the comfort of the orchard tree

i felt sympathy
for the moon
stuck in the world of
in between

on the cusp
of being thrust into
somewhere it
desires not to go

as I walk away
i glanced back
and felt
for a moment
kindred



© 2008 by Danielle Romanick