A REFUGE FOR POETS WHO WRITE IN THE LYRIC TRADITION,
WITH RHYME AND METER, WITH OR WITHOUT MUSIC
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RELUCTANT LOVER
I have tried and lost at love
Not once or twice, but often.
The wounded heart recovers,
But it hardens.
I fear my heart would ache again
If I should let it soften,
So if it takes some time
I beg your pardon.
I hear them say the look of love
Was in our eyes this evening.
This was news to me;
I did not see it.
I know that love, in time, will be
All over but the grieving;
But if I fall in love again,
So be it.
Love is not in our control.
It does not come by choice.
We only can embrace it
Or deny it.
To every lonesome, lovestruck soul
The poet lends his voice
When hearts are restless
And the night is quiet.
Saranac Lake, New York, 1997
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