Download a PDF version of this text for printing.
Long Distance
By E. O’Riley
We know the day is getting near.
The letter came. With a date.
Now, like a soldier waiting to deploy
all we can do is mark time
and love
and love.
We soothe ourselves with words.
"We’ve survived worse."
"We’ll pretend you’re off to the war."
"At least you won’t return in a body bag."
I know.
I know
we have both taken different roads,
one in need of paving,
the other almost indiscernible.
By some stroke of luck
they crossed,
their crosses
borne. So I hold on to you like a frightened child
holds on to its blanket, close to its heart.
And I rub the satin trimming of you,
wearing it thin until it disappears between my fingers
and I am left with the feeling of my own skin.