Thursday 21 April 2011

POTENTIAL DANGERS

On the steps of the zoo
you told me,

as I nustled against you,

that you

Do Not do

Public Displays of Affection.

‘You’ll learn’, I told you,

optimistically.

I should have listened.

The arctic wolves

had warmer

hearts

I

found.

 
I will hold your hand

Only in Private

you later said.

I will hold yours

everywhere

I replied,

eyes misty with

love.

But you were right.

Hands were for smoking,

tricks using matches

and clutching glasses

but, never for

holding or

for tenderly

stroking,

I later

grew

to

understand.



You needed

coaxing

gently

from

out of

your

tightly buttoned

defensive position.

But, I

grew

weary
of
tediously tunnelling

under your

barricades.



And now?

Now,

you are back

in

your

dugout.

Your sniper’s eye

trained on

the horizon

seeking out

the

potential

dangers

of

intimacy.










15 comments:

  1. Sad piece, and so true that some relationships just aren't in tune.

    Beautifully written, Penny.

    xx

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  2. Oh! I don't know what to say. I feel sad for something lost. I hope there is a happiness to be found somewhere else. Hugs.

    Thank you for visiting me
    Carolyn ♥

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  3. lovely to meet you penny and thank you for the comment. will get a cuppa and catch up with your blog

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  4. Those words are very moving.
    Did you write them?

    I just popped over to say thank you for your kind comment.
    Take care
    Sue xx

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  5. Powerful piece, Penny! Beautiful!

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  6. oh, this is so sad and moving, and beautifully written.

    Thank you so much for your very kind comment on my blog. I am eager to look around your space now.

    Daniele

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  7. what a fantastic poet you are..marvellous succinct writing

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  8. Very honest and beautiful writing, Penny! Thank you for stopping by my doves post...

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  9. I love the way you write Penny.

    Happy Easter love from a fellow Penny xx

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  10. what a striking words penny!! so sad.
    thanks for your nice comment on my blog.

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  11. Aww what a shame they are both not on the same wavelength!
    Another well written Poem, you have a fantastic way with words Penny!
    Jan x

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  12. Oh wow, so sad and forceful, Pen!

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  13. Beautifully written and oh so true. My siblings and I knew that our father loved us dearly but he could never show it outwardly and, to a certain extent, he passed this inhibition on to us. I find hugging and kissing extremely embarrassing and I avoid it like the plague. I understand now that my father was an orphan when both parents died leaving him to be brought up, from age eight, by a strict grandfather who showed no affection. This "curse" has passed through each generation.

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