THe nature of partial things

Nicholas Burtchaell

 

Breathe deep

and feel the raindrops

touch your face,

cool and clean your lungs.

What is a deep breath

when you’re underwater?

 

Bite of the gumdrops

licks your tongue;

it doesn’t touch them,

but feels the sweetness.

What is a half cup of sugar

without its companions of milk and eggs?

 

Call your dog to your side;

your companion, a friend.

He knows nothing of you but

your smell, your voice, your height,

but without you he is nothing but

a wild dog.

 

We crave what we can make whole,

because that which is partial

is of our own nature.