My oldest poems swing between love and loss. I’ll spare you the bulk of early efforts, but these three still appeal to me. mjh

I’ve cried and I’ve laughed
I’ve loved and I’ve lost
and yearned for companionship,
whatever the cost.
And through all the learning
and loving and living,
I’ve wanted to balance
the taking and giving.

Fall 1977
– – – – –

October Fourth

I need to hold a pen all night.
I need to hold a lover.
I need to hold a friend all night.
I need to hold some other
some other one to comfort me
to cuddle and embrace
someone to be here next to me
and fill this empty space.

10/4/1977
– – – – –

Your scent has left my skin
following your warmth.
Your taste has left my tongue,
now dry in my mouth.
You’ve gone
and taken the things one can’t
leave behind for long.
Gone from my senses,
you remain in my thoughts,
my thoughts that tumble over each other
in search of ink
only to dry in my mind
before they reach the page.

05-25-1977