The Journey Poem by Elizabeth Shield

Have I not loved you once before?
Did I not kneel down at this door?
Should I have not felt suffering
When you did not give anything?

Did we not come stand side by side?
Could you not see the tears I cried?
Could you not hear me say your name?
Will you not share some of the blame?

Why does your gaze hold me that way
As if you still have words to say?
As if your hands still ache to hold
What yours would be had you been bold?

Did I not learn much after all
Except I still have far to fall?
And that your heart still makes me ache
And that mine still has room to break?

Why can I not walk the line?
And keep my back turned since that time?
What is there for us to gain?
A pleasure greater than that pain?

How can you ask me once again?
To grant the heart's desire of men?
To be for you a flame that burns
And asks for nothing in return?

And how is it you still aspire
To be the aim of my desire
To be the one my heart calls home
For me to make you not alone?

Why has this feeling lived so long
Why does this ache still feel so strong
How have you and I so changed
And yet in this way stayed the same?

Perhaps I am here to retrieve
A part of me I left to grieve?
Is it a crown upon your head
Or a note you have not read?

Will I not leave you here once more?
Will you come calling at my door?
Would you leave there an offering?
Does your heart still have songs to sing?