Stephen Flickner

Stephen Flickner Poems

The Best Poem Of Stephen Flickner

Impossible

If you walk to the top of the mountain
Then I will notice you
If you walk on land without your feet touching the ground
Then I will stare
And if you run a mile up the river without breaking a sweat
I will speak with you

But if you stop, and settle down to rest
On the way to the top of the mountain
Or if your cold skin brushes against the face of the earth
Or if beads of sweat run down your neck as you run up the riverside
Then you have no place in my heart

If you can fly above the people who walk on the city streets
Then I will stop and ask questions
Or if you swim in the ocean, without the smell of salt in your hair
I will pay attention
Or if you manage to talk to the animals, like your friends in conversation,
Then my eyes will open

But if you fall, with your face buried in the ground
Trying to fly, trying to be something you're not
Or if the smell of sea salt stains your hair to dry, thick clumps
Or if the animals ignore you
Then I no longer wish to see you

But above all of the impossible,
If your breath, underwater, heats my body like a sun heats its heart
Or if you notice me, in the corner of the darkest room
Or if you can tell me secrets I would never want to know
With your mouth sewn shut, like stitches and strings,
That is when I will love you

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