I thought I'd share a touching ( to me) poem Linda shared with us from "Venus Trines at Midnight" Don't stand there
looking at me like that
At least give me time
to put on one of my masks
there were seven false faces
I brought along to this costume ball
just to be safe
but I seem to have mislaid them somewhere
Independence was stolen one stormy night last year
while I watched you follow someone
into a room
and close the door behind you
Anger I haven't been able to wear
since that day I hurt you with it
Pride I impulsively tossed out the window
when I called
to tell you I was sorry
Detachment, I guess, is permanently lost
now that your smile
brings a lump to my throat
I can't swallow
Amusement disappeared without warning
the morning I first knew
what your eyes were asking
Frigidity melted forever
the moment you touched me
Now, stripped of my protective cloak of poise
I toss my hair too often over my shoulder
tear napkins to shreds
order drinks I never finish
break match sticks into small pieces
What will I do to cover my trembling
when all my disguises are gone?
The only one left is Caution
and it almost flew out of my hands, just now
when I turned to go
and thought I heard you say
"Please stay"