Anything But That

I love you

you know I love you

you exclaim

as if the bittersweet refrain

will quiet my lonesome fears

quench the painful tears

what a beautiful dream

retro-fitted reality

opening my eyes

to infinite worlds

dotted lines

between you and me

but still,

in knowing your touch

your inner being

to give me anything

anything but that–

-is to thieve the last breath

of the living.