Ben Pontius

Poem For My Best Friend

Ben.1

You seem happy without me

Sometimes, happier without me.

(But how would I know?)

Your version of a man is wonderful to me.

I love you wholesome.

(When you haven't had one more than I can handle.)

You keep your pain to yourself while I keep trying

To close the gap between us.

(Chattering . . . Looking for a response . . . A clue . . . )

I'll try to love you

From over here!

Ben.2

You've taken a hard road, and what pleasure you could find.

My heart breaks when I think of you.

Please remember that you are precious and time is short.

Ben.3

Sweetheart.

Gingersnap.

Chocolate bar.

Sportif.

Meat.

Laughter.

Drinks.

Cigarettes.

Good looks.

Sun.

Faith.

Genius.

Earnest.

Processed.

Lover.

My true love.

from Sandra Pontius

November 9, 2002

This poem was written on a rainy day in Halifax. Ben often laughed at the third line: "(But how would I know?)." He considered it a punch line! Like all people who love each other madly, we wanted to protect each other from samsara. I think some of my feelings in that regard are reflected here, along with the pleasure I felt being with him.