Before I Met You

Remember when
Thoughts made sense
Senses were clear
No deception
Or indiscretion

Remember
The absence of fear
And inhibition

Remember when
Spirits were free
And confidence became me
When tears weren’t cried
And lies weren’t lied.

Remember when
Words had value?

Before I met you.

Remember when
Songs were sweet
Instead of painful reminders
Of everything we used to be

Remember when
We used to be
Like the songs are sweet?
When you meant what you said?

Remember when
Warm felt close
And open felt right?

Remember when
Love didn’t require defense?

Remember love?

Remember sweaty palms
And racing heartbeats
Mental preoccupation
Feelings without hesitation

Remember when
Touch brought comfort
When hands were soft
And embraces were gentle

Remember feeling desired?
Appreciated? Admired?

Remember when
Running was towards the other
And not away

Remember the days?
The day we met
The day we talked
The day we fell
The day we kissed
The day we knew
The day we prayed
The day we vowed
And the day we laid

Remember the day we fought?
The day that cost?
And the day love was lost?

Remember the day
I first felt numb?
That was the day
I knew we were done.
Disenchanted, I’d become.

But, do you remember when
None of that existed?
Remember when
Words spoken were listened?

Remember when
Eyes were full of hope and fire
Of future ambitions
Not wreckless intentions

Remember when
Colors were bright
And the sun was warm?
Remember when
The sky was blue?

Before I met you.

Remember happiness?
Remember when
Responsibility
Was only mine to carry;
And I carried only mine.

Remember when
Faith was waiting?
When strangers were potential?
Smiles were invitations
And winks insinuations.
There were no limitations.

I remember
With stern resolution
I’d accept no substitution.

Remember when
Romance had tingle?
Remember when I was single?

Remember when
Driving in a car
Whether near or far
There was freedom.

Remember
What it felt like
To be in control?
Not up to the discretion
Of another living soul.
One who’s account
Never includes taking into my own

Remember
What it felt like to be included
And never disillusioned

Remember when
You pretended
To be everything you weren’t
And nothing like you are
Remember the thoughts
Of wedded bliss

Before I met you

You changed my view.
Changed all these things
From present to past tense

Remember when
Thoughts made sense
And senses were clear
Seems so near
But where we are now
We got here some how
I don’t know how or why
But I remember when-
Before I met you.