To love
is to venture
into a foreign land
the terra incognita
of someone else's heart
never to be sure
how it would end-

what words to utter
what acts that suit best-
the object of one's desire
would that beloved understand?

relationships are mist-laden
nothing is clear or apparent
each heart is a world apart
its longing to some mystery bent-

to speak aloud in effusion
is like walking on quick-sand
silence could be lethal
for the moment at hand
could love's flame all at once quicken--

ah me!   too many nights did I spend
struggling and self-chastening
questioning, doubting and searching
but dispensed with every  single plan-

weary are the stars tonight
the moon hides her face in pain
the winds sing of their loneliness
the sea moans in every strain-

love seems too far away
unknown is its distant terrain
I'll bid my heart to cease its yearning
this path I should not walk again.