whenever i find myself
overthinking
in the darkness of my room
i will myself
out of my self imposed torment
with memories of you
your fingers were
rough,
calloused at the tips
worn from your strumming
as you sang along
perched on your wooden stool
it was commonplace now,
nothing fascinating
to see you at the door,
singing away with your eyes closed
and your brow furrowed
in concentration
and yet,
i walked slower
just so i could maybe absorb
your song better,
and add my harmonies
in my mind
play the guitar, my love
the ukulele,
the banjo
pluck the worn strings
with your worn fingers
and play me a song
raise your voice just a bit more
envelop me with your words'
soft cadence
as you play a song i've
never before heard
and will never hear again
sing along, my dear
harmonise
and add some adlibs
but don't open your eyes
not even a little bit
until the song is done
because if you open them now,
you'll see
how vulnerable i've become
and how i melt into your warmth
with every string you play
and every note you sing
i'm at the door now,
lots of people have walked in
and you kept your eyes closed
as you performed away
but now that i'm here,
you open your eyes
and the memory ends
with the sound of your guitar
permeating my thoughts
and the memory of that guitar pick
in the pocket of my jeans
burning me in the present
play the guitar for me, before you go
has march really come to an end?
play me a song, one more time
and this time,
just this once,
keep your eyes open
sing along for me, before you leave
the summer heat is unbearable
and yet august never felt so cold
let me hear your voice
one last time,
and look me in the eye
whenever i find myself overthinking
i think of you
perched on that worn stool
with your fresh undercut
that never seems to last,
the smell of bergamot clinging to you
seeing you play a string instrument
was commonplace
and yet i remained mesmerised
at how well the melody
matched your voice's
words of longing
i wished then that
time would stop
so i can hear you play forever
but you're just a memory now
a song that i'd never heard before
and will never hear again
play the guitar for me, my love
