Maybe Tomorrow

Okay, so this poem was written mere weeks before Matt and I got engaged.  It’s an odd timeline, but stick with me for a minute:  We dated and broke up twice, worked at SIFAT for the summer of 1999, and he came back to start college.  Towards the end of October of 1999, I realized that I might be falling in love with him.  We were engaged on Thanksgiving.  This poem was literally just days before I had my “You’re going to marry Swish” epiphany!  It’s so interesting to look back on this period of my life.  I was so young (19 here), but so consumed at times with wondering who I was going to be with for the rest of my life.  It’s funny (now) to look at this poem, and see that somehow inside of me I knew this person would be so familiar to me.  Who knew that I would be falling in love with a man who had been my best friend for years?  I was clueless!  I’m so thankful God stepped in, and showed me his plan for my marriage.  It has been such a gift!

MAYBE TOMORROW

I can feel him
Every night I am lulled to sleep
By the sound of his voice
Deep
In the darkness
The voice of the one that I love.

I see him.
When the sun is shining and
I am lonely.
I see him.

I see him.
When the moon is bright and
I am lonely.
I see him.

He is familiar.
Not his face – 
His feeling.

His hand on the small of my back
His arm wrapped around my shoulder
His fingers in my hair
His lips to mine

He is familiar.
Not his face – 
His smell.

His cologne
His fabric softener
His breath in that magical moment before we kiss

Every face that passes
I ask, 
“Are you him?”
A question not to be answered today.
Maybe tomorrow.

Katie Swisher (née Kermeen)
October 1999

Hazel

This poem was written for the poetry reading we just had at Smith Valley UMC.  It’s a poem about my favorite eyes, and the man who sees with them…

HAZEL

The warm gold flecks glow when you laugh
And like embers pop sparks of joy to those standing near.

 The deep green brightens when you meet my gaze
And the cadence of my heart quickens with smitten excitement.

The gray grows bluer when you are deep in thought
And I wait to hear the swarm of ideas your mind has created.

These eyes
Saw me as a child
Loved me from afar
Captivated me as a young woman

These eyes
Sparkled in joyous anticipation as we said, “I do.”
Glistened as tears fell in loss and mourning

These eyes
Have seen me for who I am
Have loved me unfailingly

These eyes – these hazel eyes
They will watch me wrinkle and gray
And love me still.

Katie Swisher
August 5, 2012

Poetry Class

Smith Valley UMC has had a poetry class for the past few weeks, and we just wrapped tonight with a poetry reading.  This class has been great – a reminder to me that I enjoy writing creatively, be it in poem or prose.  It has inspired me to write more, and I look forward to seeing what things I can create.

This class has also inspired me to share things I wrote many years ago.  In 1999 I took a creative writing class at IUPUI, and enjoyed it thoroughly.  I decided I will start posting my work from then on this website.  I’m not going to edit it much – if at all.  I want these works to remain true to the person I was then (13 years ago!).  Part of me feels the need to warn you that I’m not always nice in my poetry.  One of the first projects for that class has a curse word in it!  I’m just being real, I suppose.  Staying true to me and the feelings I had then…

I hope you enjoy it!