East coast poet, br If you have fallen, you have fallen br From a heavenly place br To bring enlightenment br To the ordinary spaces br In which mortals live br With such tenderness and longing br But for which they are lacking br The ability to adequately express br Those wondrous and life-giving emotions. br br But you breathe life and hope br Into all their gentle caresses; br You illuminate the way br Little girls and mothers br Wear their dresses; br You document br The heartbreak of unkindness br And the failure of appreciation br Between people in hurtful relationships. br br Here in the Midwest, I have fallen in love br With red roses trailing white picket fences; br But neither the roses nor the fences belong to me, br But if I ever meet you, I will at least steal the roses br And place them in your lap. br br Tonight, I will dream of your mother’s finger br Entwining your hair when you were only a small girl; br And if I step into the moonlight, I’m certain I’ll cry.