“then be not coy. . .”
–Robert Herrick
if she doesn’t hear
what he asks
but only perceives
what she sees
and he cannot speak
above a whisper
in fear others
will overhear
or perhaps in fear
she will
then he must speak
more discreetly
about romance’s
slow unfolding
and the smolder
of desire
(January 20, 2014)
subtext 