("he" is not representational of any real persons or events)


he

he would stifle all her pleasure,
to never have her scream.
he would keep her clothed, for his embarrassment
and never have her feel the sun.

he would not hear her speak of happiness,
to never hear her speak of pain.

he would go without her song
he would go without her voice

he would not have her giggle, (had she even once knew how?)
or dance in rain
howl under moon
or sing to stars
of their delight
or stretch her toes in winter's sand, to save her from a chill

himself presented, self-preserved and self-reserved
not with her real self at his hem
her true self lost amongst his doubt
her thoughts away, away, away . . . away and then condemned