By Gary Weins

wispy fleeting phantom

longing grazes the edges of my soul

just out of sight

A faint perfume

it hangs midair

a memory not quite complete

touching feelings

stirring something

not quite there

yet real

sweet Jesus

how long until once more your gaze arrests my heart

you come and go

now touching

not keeping distant

unpredictable like breath of wind

when can I find you?

will you be captured as you have captured me?

sweet sadness overtakes me

lending voice

to the pensive song

of a lovesick soul

less wild lovers call

sending forth their saccharine smells

false appeals

stemming not from love

but raging hate

they promise joy tonight

cheaply

if I but take and eat

I glance

but longing calls

and sweater far its misty strains

than any pledge of instant glee

lovely Lord

stretch forth your wounded hand

and drip the precious

fragrant flow of passioned love all over me again

retake my battered heart

steal me away to secret place where deep and deep engage

I love you Lord

I want your presence gorging me

consuming me

with fervent zeal

to know you more

living flame

beset me now

with love divine

and say to me again

beloved I am yours

and you are mine

but release does not yet come

the veil is torn

I've entered in

yet still I see with eyes be dimmed as in a glass

when shall I know as I am known?

when shall the hope be realized?

how long will mortal flesh impede desire?

how long?

wispy fleeting phantom

longing grazes the edges of my soul

just out of sight

a faint perfume

it hangs midair

a memory not quite complete

touching feelings

stirring something

not quite there

yet near

so very near