had i waited
this
a moment more
than twilight turning red
had i listened
as night birds
drew their sighs
had i known
that heaven makes a place
near enough to breathe
to understand
the depths
where love can be
had i traded
every sorrow
when my grief was newly formed
had i bled of tears
a canyon of restraint
had i known before
you would come
to save of me the best
so far from
this beginning
would i wait

. . .