Hiding in rituals of casual acquaintanceship,
maintaining mask through social interaction,
I remain invulnerable: a fortress, kept strong,
denying penetration beyond a cursory glance.
(My heart's well protected for fear it will break
once more give way to love's lingering ache.)
It is you alone for whom I long.
Meantime, I deftly dodge pitfalls of dang'rous romance,
find ingenious ways to give commitment the slip.
I allow only solitary & fruitless satisfaction
to remain within my fervid & well controll'd grip.
(Copyright 1/8/2005)
Hugh Cobb
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/perils-of-intimacy/
