PORTRAITS (second version)

between us
it's all
double or nothing
with him
it's horseplay
always playing with words
me it more real fictitious
I mean
lost
between
here and nowhere
cut in half
him on the contrary
full length
me only the head
half in darkness
him the head titled to the side
resting on one hand
me looking blankly ahead
him the light from above
shadowing his obstinacy
me dreamily caught
between tears and laughter
him looking into our eyes
with compassion 
and a touch of cynicism
me staring into the void to be filled
him already receding
into the final sentence
me getting ready to leap
into the precipice
here we are
stirring still
playing
double or nothing

Copyright © 1996 Raymond Federman