i would have helped you

I went out today.

I took the path through the orchard

-the apples, untended

had fallen, softened

red and ruined

to the ground.

I went out today.

I took the path through the pine wood

-to either side, tangled in the boughs

was darkness,

needles and broken compasses.

I thought of wild things

of madness.

I went out today, looking for you.

if you had told me, love

-if you had told me instead of stealing away,

if you had told me something was missing,

I would have risen from my bed

I would have put on my watch and my coat

I would have drawn the bolt

and I would have gone out into the cold world with you.

little boy, if you had told me something was missing

I would have helped you find it.