Once, Once, Once Poem by Mark Heathcote

Once, I was as mysterious as a nervous roe deer.
Once, I was an invisible illusion made up of air and electricity humming with bees.
I was transitory as a heartbeat registering your silent singing.
Once, I was a hummingbird in the heart of a flower.
Once, I was a riverboat, guided like a rocket ship into your arms.
Asking: where all this movement goes.
Oh, let me anneal like chrome on steel, never to rust.
Never to fade isolated away, alone.
Once, I was a child, never fearing
My father and mother wouldn't bring me home.
Once, I was walking in the snow, not trodden, never knowing what I'd see.
It was as if I were the element in a headlight shining bright.
It was as if I was about to be discovered and dismembered, but nothing horrible.







Once, I was as mysterious as a nervous roe deer.
Once, I was an invisible illusion.
Made up of air and electricity, I was humming with bees.
I was transitory as a heartbeat registering your silent singing.
Once, I was a hummingbird in the heart of a flower.
Once, I was a riverboat, guided like a rocket ship into your arms.
Asking: Where does all this energy and movement go?
Oh, let me anneal like chrome on steel, never to rust.
Never to fade isolated away, alone.
Once, I was a child, never fearing
My father and mother wouldn't bring me home.
Once, I was walking in the snow-
Not trodden, never knowing what I'd see.
It was as if I were the element in a headlight shining brightly.
It was as if I was about to be discovered and dismembered.
But nothing horrible. Nothing that would make me tearful or cry.