If ever I thought

If ever I thought,
There to be no hope here,
Outside these walls,
Inside your arms.

If ever I thought,
There could be no home for me,
That I would be spindly displaced
from your heart,
Like rains after the storm,
Burrowed earth removed from the worm.

If ever I believed,
No hands,
No heart,
Could build a future in this place,
That there could be no we in this space,
Like waters drained off forgotten shores,
Remnants of ancient lore.

If ever I could not see,
The I in you,
and the you in me,
Like looking swiftly into black,
Faltered days from guilt and lack.

If ever I could not hear,
Your soft breath whispers in the twilight,
A music no voice could contain,
A prayer to ease this pain.

If ever I could not feel,
Your skin against mine,
Your trust in time,
My love,
Returned in kind...

If ever I should take leave.

Jason Christopher Johnson