The Fine Line

You want to be near, but never touching -

like a star on a New York summer night

that carries my dreams and winks at me affectionately,

but I can never quite grasp you.

You want to sway me like a moon and ocean dance,

using your magnetic nature from across the room,

blowing kisses with your bright eyes,

but I’m not allowed to feel you.

It’s unfair, the “inbetween” position,

keeping me from self-respect

and banned from unrestrained embrace.

You’re that spoonful of sweet milk

that I must hold in place,

but must not open myself up to taste.

That’s too close -

the point of suffocation, like a needle to your bubble

and a suitcase of feathers on your delicate face.

You need to be observed, only,

like an endangered white elephant

left to its own sensitive habitat,

dangerously near extinction if claimed.

You are the ruler of this bargain;

to love you, I must shallowly love you,

on shallow shores, in shallow space,

in a shallow attempt to withhold so much tender depth.

Reviews

[Chryiss]

Lovely, as always. ;) You described that "fine line" so clearly and eloquently. I could feel that restrained tenderness throughout the poem and the ache that comes with such a love. Really love your choices in metaphors and similes--milk, suitcase, bubbles, elephant.
Somehow it felt like the peace was dancing (regardless that you did in fact mention that)~

[Lorry]

When one wants more than the other is willing to give, it doesnt stop the feelings to suddenly disperse. That is our burden, just as the fear of commitment is theirs. It makes us wonder how any relationship works. I find, and im sure im not alone, that if two people are singing different songs, there wont be much heard over the babble.
Give and take is essential, otherwise it becomes a tug of war.
Beautifully written words, that leaves this reader pondering his own mistakes. (Yes really! I do make mistakes, and admit them)
(well, some of them) :)

[Kay]

Your comments are exactly right with the intentions I had for this poem! In the situation where one wants more than the other is willing to give, an unfortunate fine line sets the divide so they exist in the same space but are never fully engaged with one another, thus never as close as they could be. Whatever the reasons are for it to exist (ex. fear of commitment), the fine line is that last piece that keeps standing in the way from a complete sense of love between the two. Thanks for your review. =)

[Lorry]

You're very welcome