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If I

  If I were a bird that flew like silvery grace, I would fly to your window
   and bask in your beauty, for it is greater than the Sun.

If I were the Sun, I would cower before your radiance; I would hide
   shamed, and claim my light for the moon to shine on your door.

If I were the Moon, chrome essence and animal passion, I would black out
   the stars to make you the only other light with me.

If I were a Star, a pinpoint of light compared to your beauty, I would close
   my eyes to darkness so only you could see.

If I were blind for just one day, I am quite sure the insanity
   of not seeing you would take over as does it now.

If I were a rain drop, glistening in the clear, azure sky of deepest summer,
   I would pray that only I fall upon your tongue.

If I were the wide blue sky that rides high above your head, I would bow
   down so you were above me, where you belong.

If I were a thought on the mind of the simplest creature, I would think
   only of you, your voice, for all time.

If I were a color of deep or light shade, I'd wish to be your favorite
   if you favored red or green or blue.

If I were something, anything, for just one second of one minute
   of one solitary day–I'd wish that I were in your arms and that you loved me




Writer's Commentary for
If I:

This one was born out of a form that I wanted to experiment with, and I was partially successful in sticking to the form, yet what resulted is a work that I am exceedingly pleased with. The form experiment was that each 2 line couplet was to suggest the following 2 line couplet by virtue of its subject matter, and also increasing power of emotion. For example, the first couplet starts with a bird and compares the subject's beauty with that of the Sun; the second couplet picks up from there and starts with the Sun as its subject and flows onto the light of the Moon, and so on.

The structure breaks down a little bit in the middle, but by that time I was writing purely on emotion and letting my subconscious guide my hand. I have probably gone back to this one a few times over the years to try and fit it into the original structure, only to read it again and realize that I shouldn't change a word, because it works so well as it is written. This is a case of substance over style, and a good example of why nothing in writing is set in stone, let your emotion be your guide and you will never be led astray

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