On the Tightrope

On the Tightrope
Yong Wan Choi 06.06.08

Whenever I see you I walk a tightrope
a feeling for you I cannot hold back
my heart pounds with no time to turn away
a painful thrill that perhaps should never be
because of the ache of having to stop as soon as I begin
did longing refuse to let me go, and cling to me?
one end tied to my heart
the other end bound to yours
my body walks the rope, teetering
did the rope suddenly sway?
I twist and flap wings out of nowhere
though I long to fly like an arrow and pierce you
I rely only on the rope, bracing against both sides
step by step I edge forward
a pale face with two shining eyes
your pupils, as if smiling, brimming with tears
a rope drawn taut toward you alone from who knows where
tangled at my feet, somehow the closer I come the farther you are