Is This Love Taken?
By Robert Sinclair O’Brien
Excuse me, lady, is this love taken,
or may I slide in there beside you,
if I promise I won’t waken
the dreams hidden in your heart?
I got on this bus
where it turned onto Desire Street,
and I was supposed to get off
where Hope and Lonesome meet,
but then I got this free pass all the way to Start.
That’s where I’m headed now,
standing right beside you.
Yes, I know I’m already beyond Hope
but if I get to Start, I’ll know what to do,
if you come along for the ride.
It’s not a lot farther along the road
and if you lose your bearing
I’ll help you find your way\
back to comfort and caring
And safety and pride.
I know that I’m no trophy you can hang up on your wall
I’m not a razzle-dazzle prize – my achievements, they say, are quite small,
so, no one points at me with pride, few know I’m even here,
but if you come to Start with me you will see it all so clear
up close when you awaken.
It isn’t far to the end of the line
it won’t take a lot of your time
just let me scoot by while you awaken —
or did you say your love is taken?
Copyright © 2009 Robert Sinclair O’Brien
Robert Sinclair O’Brien learned the hard way to include his middle name in all work he submits for possible publication. He has published everywhere except where it matters, although SomaLit has forever mattered and is his favorite venue. He lives in Redwood City , but sometime this year he will move to Amador County and get filthy rich once he finds the gold in the Gold Country.