Bridges

Between us sits a river,

too deep to walk across,

and too polluted to swim in.

________________________

In the waking world,

the best I've had of you is fleeting glances,

Impressions murky as Willamette water.

Even in dreams,

you've called me by my childhood best friend's name,

and you're as distant as she.

________________________

Only two bridges across the river can we drive on,

neither allow two directions of traffic to see each other.

The only bridge we saw each other on was pedestrian,

with your family witnessing our every glance.

_______________________

Our paths cross often, but never meet,

never join.