Autumn Shelf

Autumn Shelf

I balance on an unwavering limb.

If I fall for you before autumn

ends,

you will find that my pages are

anomalous.

I might drift along with

my pigments changing with age,

but I will ground gently,

exactly the read you thought I was.

—JG   ©2026

The Only Remedy

Days never found their proper descent,

leaving nights to ignore me.

A relentless hum behind my temple—

my eyes couldn’t settle long enough 

to begin to dream.

I wished to be led out of my sleepless

hollow,

chartered on a path back to tranquility,

and then there was you.

My Melatonin—

—JG   ©2026

Standalone Realities

I wait for your words to move 

before my mystical brown eyes, 

voiced straight at me.

I only hope that’s how my intent

reads,

leaning into me like italics,

shortening our distant reach.

A sweet substitute for 

a standalone reality,

until the day comes 

when that language becomes we.

—JG    ©2026

The Pace of Us

We move together patiently

Eclipse

I need a break

from this orbit, 

so when my words

make love to you 

I am the only witness.

Meet me where the sun

won’t mind our business.

Allow me to place my eyes 

on your celestial body,

everywhere its glow 

won’t make you timid.

Open your canvas wider,

let me brushstroke 

each vague thought 

you’ve had of me—

to paint them vivid.

—JG   ©2026

The Space Between Syllables

Can you write me a love poem,

and make it not so obvious that

it is about me?

One stanza is all I need,

a lone breath expelling your

softest secret

I’d like to read it aloud in my head

to see if it speaks the same when

I recite it to myself

To see if it makes me feel special,

like my name belongs beyond

the edge of your voice

—JG  ©2026

Posture

I’ve been 

bold lately,

no more slanting

my words—

They’re standing

straight up to you.

Every stanza 

striking your heart,

landing punctually,

reading gently.

Because you deserve 

a voice that presents

openness–

With no apologies.

—JG   ©2026

A Whispering Thing

May I whisper you a thing

or two?

I think about you often,

that’s one.

I am thinking about you

as you grasp this open

secret—

that’s two.

And because the thought 

is already there, 

I wonder if you think of

me as well—

make that three.

—JG   ©2026

Kinetic

Your evolving embrace is electric,

but it is not what gives me light.

For it is your gentle press—

activating a shine darkness can’t 

touch.

Testing how sensitive I am for you,

with a breath full of incantations

that melt my understanding.

Further verifying my affirmations.

—JG   ©2026

Uranian Light, Neptunian Deep

Let’s talk about how 

much we spin as the planets 

ellipse

Let’s talk about how a Uranian

Goddess has the power to soften

my Neptunian abyss

Let’s drift further in mind, 

past our anomaly

Past the vast edge of astronomy,

where we’d become two bodies

sharing one soul

—JG  ©2026