Don't Wait

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We pretend there will be 

a later, a some-other-time to do the thing

our insides know

we must do.  We wake one morning

to find the trees almost

empty

did we see a single leaf fall?  We tell ourselves

there we will be another time to paint it

to write it, to sing it, to dance it—to be it

that tomorrow

will be a better day to open wider, to hold closer, to say

I love you.

We fill our moments with more

pull away just when our heart begins

to feel.  We forget our insides

hold the secrets

we've spent a tired eternity 

trying to find

A woman I've never met but know I know

is dying.  Last night in my dreams

she whispered with a timeless, gentle burning—

Hold longer

Love deeper

Let the good pour out as if your life 

depends on it.  Whatever you do—

don't wait.