He stood in the doorway
watching her sleep
His hands pressed
to his chest
whispering promises
he could not keep

He stood right next to her
his hand trembling, mid air
took one step back, then another
so he was no longer there

She lay upon sheets of silk
her back a work of Art
her scissored legs and arms
flung wide,
as though she was torn apart

She waited with breath held tight
her eyes closed and lungs burning
She wanted as though
time was right
Her world was centred
with her yearning

He hesitated to touch
such fragile beauty
his encroachment in her space
seemed an impregnable fortress
so he stood back
just to stare at her face

But she had raised the portcullis
and lowered the drawbridge

He just needed to storm
the castle
and dwell forever
where she lives