'Trouble' Poem by Shelby Barker

Sweetly solemn and gently just
with a tender touch, and growing pride,
you came to me from the other side of the dark
and asked of me an abstemious guide
until your eyes adjusted.
I fell in love with the shadow the sun cast
and the squint of your lids looking at me
through the luminance and I, you,
at your neglected radiance.
You came to me from the other side of the dark
and we held hands while the bushes talked
and we collided as the winds did double-takes
as if the streams were flowing backwards
or the kaleidoscope had crossed the line to
overwhelming, because your new look left them too
dubious and we had to nonplus them
before they could criticize the tumors
strung behind you and holding on tight
for dear life; it is a life we are resurrecting
ignoring Trouble and fellow enemies
leaving them on the other side of the dark