12/7/10

Letter to a Stranger
By Emily Gilmour


"You know, life is a lot longer than you think."

You said it with such convincing calm.

With so much depth and knowledge in your eyes.

I had nothing to respond with. Only the thought that -

I must be too young to understand what you meant.

Or just too oblivious to care.

Why do you find me so interesting?

What has captured your attention?

Lately, I feel as though I have nothing to share

or keep secret.

I am as simple as you imagine me to be.

Lost in this vague idea of love -

empathizing with everyone and relating to no one.

Maybe this is the natural consequence of losing purpose.

I've forgotten the ambitions that carried me here,

so I float in the water I was unable to cross.

Too overwhelmed to keep swimming,

blissfully unaware of activity on the shores.

I wish I could stay forever,.

drifting in serenity that surrounds you.


- - -
I do not want to live. I want to love, and live incidentally.