The below poem was part of the Voice Poetry Project Midterm assignment and was written from the persona of River James (R.J.) Patterson.

Waking

My sister Tamara was so excited. She couldn’t hold still.

She looked and acted exactly how she used to be when alive,

When her energy built up and she squirmed

Unable to hold in her joy, like it needed a physical release.

She got a running start then launched herself into a hug.

The dream didn’t feel long enough as I woke

Cradled by her warm, happy, and accepting feelings.

The room was still dark, and Catherine still slept.

Some part of her always found me in our sleep,

A hand on my chest or a foot on my leg.

This morning, she held my hand.

Like every other morning, it made me smile,

Even in sleep we were drawn to each other

Just like the day we had met.

An early morning flight for work reasons

Meant I needed sustenance to carry on,

So I wandered the airport until I found a USO.

In my Army uniform, I entered for some coffee,

And Catherine was standing there, the volunteer

Wearing a yellow sun dress and a white zip-up hoodie.

My teasing of her apparel secured me a date.

I tried to treat her like the others, keeping myself safe,

But she wouldn’t have it. She tore down my barriers

And brought me back to life. Sharing everything,

I feared she would take the information and run,

But she only pulled me tighter and believed every word.

I have let her hold me and see me cry,

And this time around, I didn’t feel weak and strange.

Back in this moment, lying in the dark,

I take my free hand and run it through her brown hair.

I am trying not to mess up, being faithful and honest.

Once we are married, she’s moving in with me

Because she has flexibility in her work

And would hate to take me from my children.

Thoughtful and kind, I don’t believe I deserve her,

But she is making me realize by pointing out all the ways,

New with her and existing through my family,

That a product of lust can not only receive but also inspire love.