Three-Legged Race

Peering into the future,
Our backs squarely to the past,
Downward we glanced at our legs bound together,
And started tentatively at the gun’s blast.

Slow and steady is most prudent,
It is not about speed;
Alternating the roles of teacher and student,
Is perhaps the best way to succeed -
But in a partnership where no roles are permanent,
I FAILED TO TRULY LET YOU LEAD -
Never could I have not been so insistent,
And all I can say to you now is, “Please, don’t leave.”

I am tempestuous...
The minute, I’ll cavil...
Putting up with me has been arduous,
But I beg not to let what binds us unravel -
I’m not thinking about the finish;
My only concern is to reconcile,
For winning is second best -
Second best...to seeing my friend smile.

I want to say that I’m sorry,
For lately I’ve made you do the opposite,
I know you’ve a lot to deal with daily,
Without having to put up with my bullshit -
You know these three-legged races aren’t easy,
But we’ve come too far to quit...
You’re leery?
Filled with regrets?
Give me another opportunity,
And, hopefully, I’ll change that mindset.

I KNOW YOU’VE A LOT TO DEAL WITH DAILY,
WITHOUT HAVING TO PUT UP WITH MY BULLSHIT,
YOU KNOW THESE THREE-LEGGED RACES AREN’T EASY,
BUT WE’VE COME TOO FAR TO QUIT...

Seeing as how I couldn’t care less about winning,
Can we please take it back to the beginning?
The journey back can also be the beginning going forward,
And I promise this time to be less untoward -
To be more understanding...
To let your foot plant before mine on the seward...
I love having you on my team,
Losing you, I cannot afford -
I do apologize for any wrongdoing...
Please don’t leave whose life you’ve transfigured.


- Kevin Waring

12.30.11

Night has fallen…

Tightly, I press my cheek against the pillow,

Close my eyes even more tightly and imagine,

The next time I’ll hear your voice say, “Hello,”

For some time has passed—

I just know the month ended in -ber,

And it's ironic the time gap is that vast,

For every time I think of it, I can't help but to shiver…

Time, silence and distance,

A deadly trio when working in concert,

And on it, I won’t dare write a treatise,

But know, if it has its way, in the end I’ll wind up getting hurt…

I’ve lost too much in the past to lose again—

I have no choice this time but to win.

— Kevin Waring

I'm Not Leaving

Rain was falling the size of pistachios,
The ground was muddy enough for a sow,
But lie over truth I regrettably chose,
And I was not leaving 'til she heard me out;
At her window, I cast pebbles,
An old pen that'd run out of ink,
I'd stand all night in the cold—
I couldn't care less if I got sick...
So let the rain varnish my skin,
Until the rain itself becomes my shroud—
This weather won't dampen my determination;
I'm not leaving...until she hears me out...


—Kevin Waring

Beaucoup de Miles

You're not a walk down the street,

Nor are you a trip across town;

The path to you is with obstacles replete,

But I'm going to make it there someway, somehow...

I've estimated the distance,

Out of curiosity's sake,

And even if I readjust the coordinates,

Over 400 miles still would separate -

Now, some would think the journey too onerous;

But the reward would more than compensate,

For you're the only you I know in existence,

And you're worth tempting any fate.

So, no, you don't live next door,

And you're not a "stone's throw away";

The path is long to the Jersey shore,

But I'm going to make it there somehow, someway...

This time last year...I was reeling;

The victim of a great deception,

I was on the verge of numbing all feeling -

Becoming completely deadened to human emotion...

That was before...YOU came onto the scene,

And so sweetly laid waste to that foundation;

Swiftly YOU scaled the scaffolding,

Deconstructing and dismantling,

Until all the barriers I'd erected were completely broken...

THANK GOD FOR YOU.

THANK GOD FOR YOU.

THANK. GOD. FOR. YOU ♥

YOU are the greatest you I know in existence,

And were worth tempting the fate of a repeat outcome;

However, a part of me still awaits that instance,

When things end abruptly

And I'm left brokenhearted...and feeling dumb -
That's why I agonize in prolonged silence,
That's when I lose my aplomb;
Whenever there's a break in correspondence,
I fear our friendship is on the verge of becoming entombed.


So, never let it die...
Or be prematurely laid to rest -
Don't send to dwell above the sky,
What has given me so much happiness;
Don't let me let things go awry -
Correct me before I create a big mess,
And... lastly...
I hope you, lovely, have a wonderful Christmas ♥


Though you don't live down the street,
Or a "stone's throw away";
The path to you may be with obstacles replete,
But I'm going to make it there somehow, someway...




Until then, in my life, stay.




- Kevin Waring

Ode to 'The Beginning'

Through the cacophony,
Interspersed with the voices of others,
I heard yours call out to me so clearly,
One I hadn't heard in seemingly forever,
And though 'twas only my name you bellowed,
It immobilised me, still,
For few voices are warmer than a meadow,
Awash in the light of summer crepuscule --
I turned round to be addressed,
By which time you'd already turned and run,
I knew then my pursuit of you I had to arrest...
And let you live your life without interruption.


- Kevin Waring

Together Bound

School and work keeps her busy--
A twosome with whom I cannot compete...
Sometimes I wish I could be the items she counts in inventory,
Just to be within arms' reach;
Or the computer she uses to type essays,
Then, I would always require her attention,
Her eyes transfixed to my display,
Like it offered a glimpse in to the Kingdom of Heaven...
Perhaps the pencil she uses to create,
Astonishing works of art,
Together bound for however long it takes,
Until that final mark...
Together bound...
until...


- Kevin Waring

Moves Like Potter

They saw our lights on...
"How come yours are...and ours aren't?"
"I've got moves like Ron."


- Kevin Waring