Do You Know Trees? A poem first published in Penpourri, Elliot Lake Writers' Workshop Anthology of Stories and Poems

 a poem by Audrey Austin.

Do You Know Trees ?

From north, from south

To meet in the centre.

Feeling, wanting

Do you know trees? he asks

And I feel less than I am.

We walk

And I want to look at him

In a way that he can't look at me.

Protect myself

While I explore

His vulnerability.

I need a hug.

 

Words come easy to him

And I like the listening

I like the sound

Of thoughts that don't feel foreign.

I like the feel of words

That don't stand alone,

That seek a friend

In their friendly tone.

Sitting on concrete

Feet on grass,

I want to ask, do you like me?

 

Do I invite him upstairs?

What if he says yes?

What if he says no, I have to go?

What if?

Feeling the wine,

Drinking his words

Touching my heart.

He likes me.

 

Here's to friendship.

I need a hug.

I want a hug.

I feel a hug.

I feel like feeling more

But instead I close the door.

And now I wait,

Anticipate

And wonder.