This Iceberg in My Chest Still Dreams of Sun

The Tidal Wave of Feelings I Tried to Hide

Photo by SIMON LEE on Unsplash

The mercury drops.
Inside, I'm wearing my tuque and my scarf—
Shivering, sulking, a little undone.

It's dark like the insides of a tavern,
And you alone are my light, my lantern,
Melting away my ramparts with your fingertips.
Thawing under your warmth, 
My heart struggles to find its rhythm.

I'm afraid 
Of the pain
Of not being loved
With the same intensity.

I'm afraid
That this iceberg in my chest
Will give way 
Under the confidence of your gaze
And create a mighty flood
That will carry you far away in the current.

All this surging water of feelings,
A tidal wave of love to engulf you
And leave me alone on my ship
Adrift under your brilliant sky.

You who dread swimming in the open sea,
Will you still sail away with me?

And if I fail to hold you near,
Know this, my dear:
I'll paddle
To the edge of the earth,
Through wind and storm, through doubt and dearth,
To find you, my fierce, my golden sun.