"Before"

BEFORE
a poem by elizabeth stoeckel


Before it slips away,
carried by the tides of time too far from shore;
I’ll write it.
Before my heart forgets the quiet yearnings,
before the gentle whispers are hushed by the beatings of life;
I’ll say it.
Before my body can no longer feel your arms around me,
your breath in my hair;
I’ll shout it.

I loved you!
I love you still!


Elizabeth Stoeckel
May 10, 2001