Slip of the Tongue

The scene was set.

It was perfect.

You were perfect.

Words flowed from your lips

Like a well-rehearsed script.

You needed no direction-

The master himself was at work.

I tried to follow suit,

But my verses were misaligned,

My rhythm, off-beat.

My words slipped onto the floor

And I watched Time sweep

Them away –

There could be no retraction.

Anxious now,

I tried to squeeze

Volumes through my eyes,

Certain that they reflected

The stars in your face.

I hoped that

Despite my awkward tongue,

You would understand,

That you would see

How I felt

Each time you smiled at me.