It took every ounce of self control
not
to kiss you...

not to take you in my arms

inhaling deep
the very scent of floral meadows
from your hair

not to hold your hands
with fingers trembling

nor to speak openly
my love...

my feelings

that I have
so often
held

here ...

close to my chest

muffling the very beating
of my heart

in such pained
poetic

silence

Yet

but for one moment of weakness
I could
have made known

my need

my pain

my longing to be touched

but no...

for I would never risk
all that we are ...

nor
all we have

for nothing more
than
a

moment of madness.