I always held you at arms length
I now know why.
It seems that all along
An invisible cord stretched between us
I had to keep it loose -
Taut, it pulls at me and hurts
It threatens to snap
And then I'd fall.

All around and everywhere
Are people wanting people
Who are even more than forbidden.
Not to act
Is expected, but underneath
We know what happens
And accept.

Shall I pull on the cord?
I could cut it with my teeth
But what if it's a shining wire?
It will catch on my tongue
And make me bleed.

Perhaps instead
I'll tenderly unravel,
Strand by strand
Our parting will be gentle
Our lives remain intact.
These invisible cords are commonplace
They don't just disappear.