When were you holding me?
I hold out my heart to you.
Hold me.
Take me.
Stake a claim.
Keep me.

When were you holding me?
I kept you in bedside thoughts,
Spelled your name in my whispers.
Kept you in my music box.
I loved you.
I took you.
I shook you,
Pleading, “Keep me.”
When were you holding me?

I rest my eyes for a moment.
And I lose you.
I hate leaving you.
I hate you leaving me.
Stay.
When were you holding me?

I held you
and touched the nape of your neck.
Ran my hand through your hair.
You were so beautiful
In the long days of summer.
I’m not sure you ever held me
Like I did.
When were you holding me?

When were you holding me?
I wear you like a sweater,
Stretched and over-sized.
You are ill-fitting.
Could you please size up?
I touch your hand and keep it close
like a memento.

I’m naked, obscure, in your gaze.
I’m cold and a whore for the warmth.
I drape you over my shoulders,
But you don’t know what to do.
When were you holding me?
I ask you what you feel
And you mumble the words,
Make the ties, say the lies.
It’s cold tonight.
Could you hold me?
When were you holding me?

I lay up at night,
Reciting your memory,
Wishing you could lay next to me.
You lay away somewhere and
I cannot see your face.
I call but you do not answer.
When were you holding me?

When were you holding me?
Your attention fluttered and
I thought maybe I had told
This story many times before.
You were late and left early.
You stayed but it wasn’t easy
For me.
I know you don’t keep,
Or stake your claim,
Hold me
And speak my name.
You sleep silently.
You lay away somewhere
When I want you next to me.
When were you holding me?