(for M.L., why not…)
Before I see you again
I will think of the way you consider your words with me
I will consider the smiles that you have held onto
and returned to your breast as though you needed back the breath
I will see you coming thru every door and down every hallway
always a surprise worthy of reliving
worth the price of the aloneness that follows
your arrival
and going away again
slipping thru sudden moments
creating and creasing your way into my hope: a Christmas unto yourself
I will begin each one of my next sentences with a loud laugh
I will start them over again and again
for each time that
I imagine you will smile
even with your face and beating heart so fully turned into worship
before I see you again
before you enter and sway and send forth your glow
before there is a shivering thought and smile of my own over you
before I can remember that other women walk the Earth
before the Sun warms your skin
before it spreads your smile
before it slits your eyes into that pencil-thin gaze that you’ve perfected
before …
before …be-absolutely-for
being adored …
go ahead and know that I’m always
looking
wanting
waiting
until it happens again
Jas. Mardis /12-16
Jas. Mardis is a 2014 Inductee of the Texas Literary Hall of Fame and Editor of “KenteCloth: Southwest Voices of the African Diaspora, UNT PRESS
Jas Mardis 
Although this poem is about a beloved woman (ML) and her beautiful and memorable visits; it moves my heart to my brother, who comes to visit me once or twice a year and helps in any way he can and is just a wonderful companion for a week at a time. As soon as he leaves, I miss his presence, my small apartment is left bereft of his sweet and protective spirit. This year, after a major surgery, my sister became a woman who ‘sent forth her glow’ as she became the angel that visited and spread strength, hope and humor into the atmosphere of the hospital room, the rehab room, my own place– it was truly precious!
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Delighted to increase your joy
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Indeed, you did!!!!!
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By the way, Jas, “phanakawamissypua” is me, Gladys Drew!
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