(Poem) Parasol

Walk with me in the shadows
where the night feels alive.
Walk with me in the dark
where the morning doesn’t burn too bright.

Exuberant eyes flashing in the light, they
watch me. Intensely. Waiting
for me to match their energy, but
I can’t. I’ve tried. What more do you want?

Come down from there. Stop running
so fast. Why can’t you just
rest with me under shade
instead of bathing in the steaming sun.

But you think I’m too slow; you
leave me in the dust.
You think I’m too cold, so you
let me freeze to death.

You never wait for me or
let me catch up.
You never walk with me
so that I can warm up,

but I wish you did

because

all I ever wanted
was to be in the light with you.