Beside You Poem by Tumisang Ramarea

Streaks of light from the setting sun are reflected
From the fingertips of the happy trees around
Us. You and I, friends are we? Our words deflected
From topic to topic by a sight or by a sound.
The eucalyptus trees stand tall on either side
Like sentinels guarding the stories and memories
We share. They are to our journey what a guide
Is to a tour. Safeguarding the rich melodies
Of your laughter. Streaks of light as you smile
Thinking my joke about baby tomatoes and teen
Potatoes is funny. Help me pick garlic and lime,
I pick the beef on time, thank you for being
Flexible. I promise to make you chicken some
Other time, just not today. But there is a fire!
Real sparks fly, stand away please don't come
Close to me because I am not ready for fire.
You sit besides me and I besides you on this
Orange couch. Somehow your head finds its
Way to my shoulder. And when my hand meets
Yours and they lock. Or when our lips kiss
Under a cloudy night in March, I would walk
Home with a bounce and a step. I wish I could
Have the words to describe it, to even talk
Out loud and say, that kiss was damn good!
You sit over there on your desk, your brain top
Alight with sparks of activity, productivity
Is when I get all my work done so I can chop
These bell peppers with such creativity.
It is a beautiful night, and I feel a raindrop
Or two fall on my skin, holding your hand.
If you wear a burgundy dress, jacket on top,
I'll get a tie to match, besides you to stand.