I TREMBLE AT THE THOUGHT
John Herlihy
I tremble at the thought of your heart in my hands,
Your whispered cries of love, your little reprimands.
I tremble at the thought of not feeling your desire,
Embers of your fiery passion aflame with eternal fire.
I tremble at the thought of both our legs intertwined,
Together we are like knots, tied up tightly in the mind.
I tremble at the thought that my presence not enough,
My presence in your absence leaves me in the rough.
I tremble at the thought that I might say a thing wrong,
That you might turn away and listen to another’s song.
I tremble at the thought you might simply slip away,
Missing you would then become like forever and a day.
I tremble at the thought that I will no longer tremble,
That would be the day to see my whole world crumble.
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(c) John Herlihy 5 February 2020
David Lee Thompson
That was the lesson in your poem today, carefully repeated to drive it home. I am more struck numb without even a response when trouble comes. Don't even respond immediately. But I do tremble whenever my bare skin is suddenly exposed to cool air or even a fan. It is strange that I don't mind the wind outdoors, but a simple flow of air-conditioned air on my bare neck and make me shiver.
Ron