"There Was Little Indication" by Giovanni Dania

There Was Little Indication

There was little indication in her face
That my feelings for her were mirrored in her heart;
Intensity of feeling grew apace,
No greater display of affection could I impart.
And this decision to quell my love's only the start,
Never's a broken heart been mended with such grace.
I pray still-- I hope still-- that the day 'll arrive
When my arms become her cocoon, when I become alive.

For, now, I'm dying a slow, merciless death
As I think of her, her beauty, her being,
Even her name, sweet name, the softest breath.
With her returned love what a loving soul she'd be freeing,
Though, for now, her acceptance continues fleeing,
And I'm left like this, reduced to walking this earth like a wraith:
But walk I shall,-- patience!-- walk to and fro
As my love and my passion steadily, ah, grow.

O! hear her light laughter, she's teasing,-- she's teasing!--
But, bless my gentlemanly heart, I have no reaction.
Sometimes I wish my heart were now freezing,
Instead of effecting a dramatically opposite action.
I think I'll always fall victim to dissatisfaction,--
(Though even her rejections are always pleasing)--
And although I really have no time to mourn,
Still I yearn-- (still I yearn!)-- for her feelings, as yet unborn.

But, no tears, no, no more tears,
(At least for now, it's safe to say)
For I am no stranger to these base fears;
I'm passive enough to give them their day.--
Though the weeping fit will strike me anyway,
I hope no one (especially she) hears.
This is a testament to my passions unchecked:
That she may know I love her, in every respect.

June 1996