In Hopes Of Your Return

One moment, I felt your warmth;

The next, I felt your wrath.

One moment, your arms are around me;

The next, I'm in the box you left me.

I have no way to wonder,

What I did that caused you to wander.

So instead I cry, in hopes that you'll remember

The feel of me in your arms while I'm yet tender.

I can't see but I can hear

The sound of your feet, though bare,

As you leave and turn onto your rear. 

I cry louder in hopes that you'll hear. 

Little as I am, I know they've fallen on deaf ears.

I know you've left and you're not coming back;

But I don't end my cries because of what I now lack.

I cry in hopes that someone delivers me from wrack, 

But my throat hurts as I scream loud into the dark. 

My ears pick up voices; for a moment, I hope it's you. 

But as they get closer, I know it's not true.

Still I intensify my wails, so the voices can find me;

So the voices can bring me back to you.

I feel myself waft through the air,

The cold breeze blowing through my hair.

I feel someone's hands around me, holding me dear;

I revel in their touch without a care.

No, their arms aren't as warm as yours,

Neither does their skin smell as sweet as yours;

Nor are their eyes as bright as yours,

But I'll accept it till I'm back in your arms.

I'll grow, and I'll find arms as warm as yours,

And skin as soft and sweet as yours,

And eyes as bright and brown as yours.

Until I find them, know that I'll always be yours.

—Onwumah Ozed

©2020