Gargoyle 5
cover drawing by Keith Tartler
publication date 3/18/1977
Reasons Why
Kathleen Novak
if we are lonely
it might be because
we let go too soon
or hung on too long
maybe
we walked too far or
we didn’t walk far enough or
we should have run
or stood still
either
we asked the wrong question
or planted the wrong answer
and winds soothe
when they should be tearing
and night teases
when it should come strong
and we are lonely
together apart together away
we are needing to give
as much as we are needing to get
if we are lonely
it might be because
there is not one thing
that reaches so far
nor stretches so wide
as empty
as empty.
it might be because
we let go too soon
or hung on too long
maybe
we walked too far or
we didn’t walk far enough or
we should have run
or stood still
either
we asked the wrong question
or planted the wrong answer
and winds soothe
when they should be tearing
and night teases
when it should come strong
and we are lonely
together apart together away
we are needing to give
as much as we are needing to get
if we are lonely
it might be because
there is not one thing
that reaches so far
nor stretches so wide
as empty
as empty.