I was so busy
folding you up
into my
favorite animals
that you yourself
became a
paper swan,
swept away
by a subtle wind
leaving me with
these paper cuts
across my heart.

Were you to cross the world, my dear,
  To work or love or fight,
I could be calm and wistful here,
  And close my eyes at night.

It were a sweet and gallant pain
  To be a sea apart;
But, oh, to have you down the lane
  Is bitter to my heart.

Never love a simple lad,
  Guard against a wise,
Shun a timid youth and sad,
  Hide from haunted eyes.

Never hold your heart in pain
  For an evil-doer;
Never flip it down the lane
  To a gifted wooer.

Never love a loving son,
  Nor a sheep astray;
Gather up your skirts and run
  From a tender way.

Never give away a tear,
   Never toss a pine;
Should you heed my words, my dear,
  You're no blood of mine!

Fill my silence,
With eloquent speech.
Telling tales of slain dragons,
And beautiful daydreams.
Travel through my mind,
Catch my fleeting thoughts,
As they fall on your tongue,
As they keep straying afar.
Look at my art,
I didn't paint.
Listen to my music,
I didn't make.
Finally,
Promise me,
Lie to me, please.
Say I'm not alone.
Say you'll remember me.......

You cling to it as if it were a kisby ring,
that pain that drowns you.