I wrote this poem circa 2012, about 13 years ago. I think Try is about reconciling the messiness of real life with the romantic idealism of one’s inner child. You might draw parallels between this poem and Richard Linklater’s trilogy of Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, and Before Midnight.

• Come, my darling sit with me,
• Where else would you want to be?
• It breaks my heart that I made you cry,
• But despite it all you know I try.

• You’ve been here in this room all day,
• All this time, just a touch away —
• But there is a wall between us now
• I’d break it down if I only knew how.

• Perhaps that teardrop left a trace
• As it slid down silent upon your face,
• A moment’s hurt, an agonized look —
• What price to give back what I took?

• My heart stood still as I saw your pain,
• Will anything ever be the same again?
• Maybe tomorrow will wash this clear,
• Maybe we don’t have to come back here?