All she wanted was a kiss, but my desire was
For too much more. What we got was
A terrible compromise, a lesson in the value
Of honesty, that stretched a beautiful moment
Out of shape and then to breaking point.

All she needed was a hug: a small, safe expression
Of the love that went deeper than we were
Prepared to acknowledge. I could not even
Give her that, and when I think of why,
All my reasons sound like empty drums;
Like husks that remain after the grain is gone.

All she wanted was pleasant company, but
The house was on fire and we were forced
To burn with it; to be consumed with
Unexpected desire until we were ash.

All she wanted was her friend, but I must
Have left him somewhere, because he did
Not arrive that afternoon. All there was was
An awkward, preoccupied ghost who stumbled around
But was never really quite there.

All they wanted was something positive, but I was
A disappointment, to myself as well as
To them. I took without giving, yet somehow
I ended up with less than when I began.

07/05/2014

Posted on 07/19/2014
Copyright © 2025 Richard Vince