open

In my post titled "musing..." on Feb. 27, I mentioned a poem titled "open" that I wrote August 11, 2004, the day my husband finally opened his eyes days after sustaining a brain injury. I've decided that that poem is worth re-posting, so here it is for those of you who never got the chance to read / hear it the first time around. Enjoy.

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open

Here I stand, beside your bed.
I watch you sleep, watch you dream.
Open your eyes, my love.
Open your eyes.
Your neck swells in a swallow--
such a simple sign
bringing such peace;
you are awake enough to feel the tube in your throat.
Open your eyes, my love.
Open your eyes.
Scarce did I know
how precious you are to me
As I see my life, my all
being kept alive by fluid lines and vacuum tubes.
Open your eyes, my love.
Open your eyes.
Now folding shirts is so much more
than a daily chore
Every crease speaks of love.
This place will be ready to welcome you home.
Open your eyes, my love.
Open your eyes.

There you stood, beside his bed.
You saw my sorrow, my longing. You said,
Open your eyes, my love.
Open your eyes.
My neck swelled in a swallow--
a sign of holding back,
"keeping strong,"
strong enough to keep the faith, but still feeling the pain. You said,
Open your eyes, my love.
Open your eyes.
Scarce did I know
how precious we were to you
You are our life, our all
keeping us alive with every breath and loving beat. You said,
Open your eyes, my love.
Open your eyes.
Now our prayers are so much more
than just religious chores.
We return our thanks to you.
You have always been with him, healing in love. You said,
Open your eyes, my love.
Open your eyes.
And my eyes were opened
along with his.
I see him, I see you
and there is light.