Reciprocation

Toes dangling

In the early winter darkness,

I watch the quiet street

Below me.

The bough supporting me

Creaks beneath the weight

Of my shivering.

Leafless and claw-like,

The branches around me

Vainly scratch at the sky,

Seeking to dislodge an unwary

Twinkle.

Across the street, a window

Whispers as it is opened.

Blonde hair silently slips

Though the opening,

Her jacket hiding her from

The winter.

He stands, relinquishing his seat

By the birch.

She looks the wrong way,

Hiding hands in warm pockets.

He whispers--

She turns, and smiles.

He wraps arms around her,

Her jacket rustling in protest.

She holds him tightly.

I place my own arms about the

Frigid trunk of my hiding place,

But the branches only crackle softly,

Coldly.

Reviews

[The Watcher]

Really touching but sad as well. Great write Ben and kudos!

100/100

[Daniel Atkinson]

Nice, man. I felt this one. Listening to "Motorcycle Drive-by" by Third Eye Blind as I read this really fit the mood.

[Judy Ponceby]

Bittersweet. More bitter no doubt for your observer. Your attention to detail in her small motions are perfect. Just enough. Not overdone. And then the cold contrast of the observer in his embrace, brilliant. I truly hope you are He and not the fellow with his toes dangling.

[i.am.the.sun.]

Dude. I've been gone so long I don't even know how to write a god damned review anymore... But I'll be dead long before I can no longer feel. I felt this. At first I wasn't sure why the person whose view the poem is from is in the tree, but in the end I like not knowing. Yeah, the last four lines.. Man, you nailed something there. I wanted to read a poem tonight, so I figured I'd dust off this site. You'll be glad to know I searched you before I read anything to break in the night. Thank you.

[FJ Davis]

This is quite sad. And, obviously, very skillfully created--otherwise that sadness would not have been so strongly conveyed.
But be warned, Ben, these days, there are no lovesick perchers in trees, there are only dangerous stalkers.