To Defy Love

August 26, 2008

To Defy Love

In a crowded street faces stroll by

ask me with their eyes if it’s that type of glance –

or did I just perchance turn my gaze to their vicinity.

Some are sheepish some look the other way.

some let their gaze stay upon me and it hardens until I do;

but they’re all wrong about how and why I look at them.

They all think that I am a prospect, that I might pursue them.

But really they look like the one I adore: and I cannot defy love.

And I miss seeing you all the more

wishing every woman was you;

trying so hard to forget you – to lose you in the maddening crowd

rid you from my mind from some other of your kind: but I cannot defy love.

And every face I trace the contours of their cheeks

look for dimples when they smile that startling flash

that keeps me restless for what’s in your eyes is in no other;

I’ve watched them change from pain to pleasure –

I’ve seen longing mixed with an odd sort of regret.

Sometimes I wish I’d never encountered you to forget.

When we met you closed a door on my face

if only you had not noticed me at the last moment let me in.

It’s too late to start it’s too early for regret but to defy love

as I have, is such a sin.

I fear I've done it again.

I love who I've become, but I have not met my local friends.