so what do you think, popeye?

dont mind the subject line.  it's a private joke sort of thing.

my friend lisa, whom i shall visit come october, is quite the poet.  she is, in fact, one of my favorite writers, and i'm just waiting for the day when she is crowned poet laureate of new jersey.  then i can say i knew her when - but knowing her now is one of the best things that ever happened to me.  i can't help but brag on her - she does readings at and around the princeton area and whether she admits it or not, has developed a following.  the poem i am about to post is in a public place - a poetry board called galadrial's respite, and this one spoke to me about vocabularies...and how certain words simply don't exist in certain ones.

The Point of No

"No" is always an option,
always something I can say,
and mean---
but no needs a point to be.

"No" has to mean not a game,
or I am done,
no more left to give,
not another mile in me---
no how, no way---I can't.

And always before
my no had resolve---
reluctantly given
because I meant what I said,
not fair to offer hope,
or the flare of embers---
and yet
with you, "No" means only not now---
until neither of us can bear
a moment more,
and all the world can demand,
but we are snug in Leda's egg,
praying Hera never knows
how to crack the shell.

- Lisa Shields