Grandmother’s Table

Chapter One

She pulled over at the front of her house. It was raining, that misty light rain showering the sidewalk. The back window was rolled down, so that Kobe, her four year old Labradoodle, could hold his head out the window.

She had to finish this text. She would send it, he would think she was crazy, say “Okay” or maybe put up some resistance. But ultimately he would leave. She’d tested him enough. If he couldn’t get past her whirlwind of thoughts, emotions and high expectations, how could he manage the father of her children?

Ahmad would have to believe her. He would have to trust her, if they were to ever have anything more. Taliah couldn’t help but push him away, so she tapped away…

I feel like I wanna end things with us. I am so triggered by small things. When I’m with you things are so awesome then after a few days I’m anxious. This could be for many reasons, but would primarily include the marriage I was in. That’s why I have gone back to therapy.

Nonetheless, I thought that aspect of feelings would go away this second time around with you. I felt I could handle this type of relationship with you. And really I can’t. So, I find myself in the same space as before.

You have been so patient and gracious with me. How I behaved at the party was very embarrassing. And at the same time reminded me of how I was treated for many years. I felt like I became the person who hurt me so badly.

Is this dramatic? Yes, but my feelings be so strong. Anyways, you’re living the single childless life and it’s like your friend said…I have baggage. It doesn’t feel like baggage to me since everyone has some, but I get it. I can’t do the limbo thing with you, even though that’s what people do nowadays. It’s stressful and as much as I want you, I don’t want to be stressed. Maybe I’m archaic and an anti-feminist but this is not for me. This literally makes me feel crazy.

Should she send it? Before he had cancelled their plans together, Taliah was already on edge. These guys were either crazy, ridiculous or boring. Dating felt like being greased up with Aquafor and pushed down a 100ft metal slide. Just today, she dropped two serial texters within the last four hours.

But she felt better now. Maybe she’d save the message and talk to him about her feelings later. Ahmad had a rough day and since he’d told her that he’d be out of touch the next few days, she saved it in her notes and texted,

Hope you have a better night.

She felt like a dumbass.

slowly

your love is like honey

so rich and sweet

a slow drizzle

consistency

thick and potent

i yearn for the peace

that settles in while you’re with me

enough space between us to draw me near

enough protection and perception

to assuage my fears

and if i die from rejection

without a witness to my resurrection

then thirty pieces of silver was worth ignoring

that I walked in with open eyes and heart

knowing my fate from the start

and restart of this love affair

how will another compare

a greater you

whose shoes far too unfit

a love just like you

slowly, and unafraid to commit

unforgettable

what a wild trip around the sun

when i began this adventure

the goal was singular

to satisfy my appetite

many lessons learned

i cringe when thinking about the burn

never had this stage of life

throwing caution to the wind and taking flight

who knew this cliff could be so high

now addicted to the thrill knowing i survived

how again will i cheat death

gale force winds to take my breath

to kiss you once again

feel the softness of your skin

roll over with laughter

as we dance in the livingroom

hips rolling, vibes flowing

light the green

set the scene

another round of you and me

i wonder this time

where we’ll be

the greatest of these

The frustrating thing about being

in this space place and time, I’m seeing

Is feeling offbeat missing words to the rhyme

or reason. but no matter the season

I will always believe in

the depth, height, and width of love.

Because it conquers all, it forgives much

and never loses touch

of the divinity of humanity.

Storge, philia*, eros, and agape

and one day it will roll and rock me.

On its waves I will drift

with a lover who is willing

to do the work it takes for healing

the trauma from the drama

of this human experience

and to realize that it was all an experiment.

The variables of fear and the constant of love,

the dark night of the soul,

the whole from which we’ve dug,

out of and into a new reality

where we are we and can simply just be.

Let’s hold hands and proceed on this journey.

Who knows how much time we have?

Let us eat, drink and be glad.

Surpass the frivolities of all the animosity.

Bypass the petty disputes of blind men seeking an excuse,

to do the harm they do without remorse and vain pursuits.

Excuse me,

can we have this dance?

Get our backs up off the wall and write our own romance?

One that will never be believed

and when they finally look up to see

abundance will be our receipts.

We’ve cashed out.

So pack light my love

we know this is enough

Because love conquers all,

we are too lifted to ever fall.

*philia is one of the four ancient Greek words for love: philia, storge, agape and eros. In Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, philia is usually translated as “friendship” or affection. The complete opposite is called a phobia.

obsessed

How can I get this off my chest

I’m obsessed

Had to runaway, leave you behind

Lest you hold my body as well as my mind

In lust with a pitch, intonation of voice

Who’s the man behind the curtain please let me know

Free me from your imprint in such a short time

Yes I’d swallow it if you love me blind

How can I get this off my chest

I’m obsessed

may you be all that I dream and all I need

may you be the one who challenges me