"NOT JUST YET"

I have a love affair:

NOT JUST YET

I am not ready to die -
not yet.
Not of want to shake His hand,
gleam wings among vapors
and mist.

Nor fruitlessly dodge
or side-step
the flames of eternity’s ire.

Not just yet.

I am not ready to be buried.
Not ready to burn -
ashes blown or thrown along
paths
I did not walk
when I was ash-less.

Not prepared
to leave …

Before I ping those wires -
thin,
sharp and taut - against
its neck.
And glide my fingers up,
down -
Caress and map blindly
its Italian bouts.

I am not ready to die.

Not even one moment
prior
to touching Antonio’s instrument.

k.v.khai (c) 2010