Words that wait are dark as shadows

A short but lingering poem from Linda Pastan (1932-).

 

“In Back Of”

“I’m looking for things back of remarks that are said . . . ”
–William Stafford

In back of “I love you”
stands “goodbye.”
In back of
“goodbye”
stands “it was lovely
there in the grass, drenched
in so much green
together.”
Words that wait
are dark as shadows
in the back rooms
of mirrors:
when you raise
your right hand
in greeting,
they raise their left
in farewell.