Because you are not mine

by Prof. Elizabeth Anne Bukusi

Because 
You are not mine
I will never feel
The strength of your arms
Around me
Swaying to the sound of
music
As you whisper
In my ear
Words of love
And affirmation
Making my heart
Soar
With the song
Of a thousand
Streams
Flowing
The joy
Of my love
For you.

Because
You are not mine
I will not feel
The touch
Of your hand
Upon my breast
Claiming
Ownership
And exclusivity
Tracing
Words
Of love
Written upon
My heart
Pounding
With the rhythm
Of commitment
To you.

Because
You are not mine
I will never
Feel
Your breath
Upon my cheek
As I lie
By your side
Watching
Your chest
Rise and fall
In contentment
At a love
So warm
Encompassing
And complete.

Because 
You are not mine
I will not feel
The warmth
Of your body
Curving
Against mine
As we lie
Side by side
Fitting into each other
As you curl
Into my back
Holding me close
Resting your head
In the hollow of my 
shoulder.

Because 
You are not mine
I will never know
The fulfillment
Of a love
Consumed
To the utmost
The unity
Experienced through a
physical
Oneness
As we give 
Each other
All we are
Have been
And ever hope to be
In a flaming fire
Of passion

Since
You are not mine
I close
The door
To dreams
Of a tomorrow
That would stretch forth
With you
The sweetness
Of a union
Of kindred
Spirits
And soul mates.

Because 
You are not mine
I wish
For you
All that I cannot give you
And more
Of years
Filled
With all
Of life's finest
Love
Hope
Dreams
That you will
Have
All I could 
Have been to you
And more
Because 
You are not mine

It didn't occur to me doctors could write poems. I didn't think they could write poems so beautiful and moving like this one.¹

Because 
You are not mine, 
this one here 
will live 
with me
Seeing
It is as if
I myself
Penned
Each word.
I will not stop
missing 
or loving
you
little lady
just
Because 
You are not mine.

1. This poem is taken from Cycles of Life by Professor Elizabeth Anne Bukusi (ObGyn), MPH, PhD, PGD (Research Ethics), Masters in Bioethics, Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences. She earned her general medical degree and Masters in Obstetrics and Gynecology from the University of Nairobi. She holds a certificate in international health, MPH and a PhD from the University of Washington’s Department of Epidemiology; a post graduate diploma in Research Ethics from the University.