"Here"

Here in his room,
lies a child who's crying.
Here on his bed
with dreams that are dying.

Here in his eyes
are tears overflowing.
A river had begun
with him never knowing.

And a gentle whisper,
ringing in his ears,
echoes in darkness
as an ending nears.

Here on his tongue
remain words he longs to say,
while he swallows to save them
for another day.

Here in his mind 
race images of the past
that give him a reason
to want it to last.

Here in his heart
lies a sorrowful guilt
for the loss of something 
they long-ago built.

Here in his life
is a needy space
that reaches out
for her familiar face.

Here in his smile
hides a strange divide
as happiness for her,
he would swallow his pride.

Here in his room
he lies awake,
as he dreams of the love
time can never take.

Here is a boy
who still loves a girl.
Here he will stay,
always and forever.

Here – for her.

- Joseph H. Hansche
10/31/00