New Niche.... Poem by RIC BASTASA

at first we walk hand in hand
tighter is her grip on my palm
my fingers are getting numb
choked
existential disaster
so i slowly slip my hands from your hold
and you notice
so you also let the slip lose
and my hands are free now
and we do not speak about this matter
perhaps because we like it
to happen
and you have seen another part of this life
a slice
sweeter to your taste
the one than can please and appease you
and i let you go
and i imagine myself as the new wind from the sea
spreading in all directions
as i too let myself go
thinking that i may be happier in this

ah, you throw me away as a cat from the window
midway
i have become a turtle now
gladly
swimming in my new river
which i must invent in order to survive
and thus
be not hurt
as you must too understand
as we both look for the same thing

something loose and free
windy and cool
and worth inhaling

i like this water
that makes me fluid
like a squid.