_____by Rebecca Strait

I'd tell you that I love you
But I’m scared you’re gonna walk away
Scoop up all of your laughter
Your handful of smiles
And go deep within;
Withdrawn, detached, nonchalant, mute….

You’d tell me that you love me
But you’re scared I’m gonna leave,
Call you a crazy older woman, a love sick puppy
Who doesn’t know the difference
between love or lust

I’d ask to be invited into your place
To commune with you in your space
But I know you’re going to giggle, say no
And make up some lame excuse
Thinking it’s not yet time….

You’d ask to finger my thighs
Unbutton my blouse
And bury your head in my breasts
My honey, my cups of cream

But we’re both afraid of comittment—
Of love that is binding and forever.
We’re afraid of tears we have not yet shed
The future we have not yet met
And goodbyes that are not yet gone.

Copyright © 2001. Used by permission of author. All Rights Reserved.