by Geoffrey McGee
Elusive love, I set you free
Do not feel bound by shame or debt
If cold hearts beat still as lively
It’s hard to know what you’ll regret
The pulse of the night creates a crack in the dam
The rhythm of the night: iamb, iamb, iamb.
Attraction flees, attachment stays
And while I did feel one for you
Still I maintain, after these days
That you know me as I know you
Connection quickly obscured, self-doubt’s unjust swell
My bruised soul retreating: I fell, I fell, I fell.
Do not cry, for my laugh remains
All your effort has come to naught
I function through my dulling pains
And you, my dear, have you forgot?
I stand slightly slouched but with so much more to give
Twisted tormentor, look: I live, I live, I live
I think I know your joys tonight
You rest, you drink continually
Soon my soul will be set alight
As you falter, as good finds me
My recov’ry, rediscov’ry, which you call “sham”,
It reignites my flame. I am, I am, I am.