What I Lack

You say I’m always in my head,

my feelings undeveloped.

You say I don’t know passion

as you pull me through the park.

You throw me rough against a tree.

This is life, you say.

I turn my head, you miss my lips.

You huff and walk away.

I take a breath, I smell

the jasmine wet with raindrops,

see the leaves, black silhouettes

against the lamps that light the path.

The night expands and sighs

now that you’re out of sight.

published in Sonnets to Sing