Puppy Love

I awoke

in the middle of the night

in a swinging hammock

between two trees.

The stars 

wove a silver web 

between the forest leaves

where she danced

with a smile

I knew

was never meant for me.

Still, I chased her,

grabbed her hand,

gave her my light

when we climbed the stone path

which blistered bare feet.

When we sat

in the barn, abandoned,

the flashlight held loosely,

bouncing and disappearing

between rafters,

I urged to hold her hand.

When I watched 

the delicate way 

her hair fell

over her eyes

as she whispered her stories,

I sat close,

praying for a kiss.

I awoke

in the middle of the night

in a swinging hammock

between two trees.

The stars 

wove a silver web

between the forest leaves.

I found her at dawn

asleep in the car.

Stretching and sighing

she smiled.

A smile 

which was never meant for me.

-Jo Resner