(no subject)

[just_below]

walking silently through the brisk cold
[sun out, blue sky, but biting]
knowing through and through into what I walked
and yet going
keeping a bet with myself
[as always]
pushing just a little farther
test of will
how long can I hold this steady
and can I make you blink first

this is not a game, I assure
though I may play dumb
this is not a dance,
though we sidestep and sway back and forth

this generosity is true, pure
and bears no price [as I've said] but openness and honesty
and then it shifts and turns
in a swift succession of dodges, parries
as you retreat from something you won't name

growing colder is never easy for something that burns this bright
[even if I can't name the source]
though it is inevitable if we continue the path I see
and still, I wait, not pointing out the peril
because you have to see it for yourself, and decide

preparations are being made for the walls to be rebuilt
I will hold them off as well as I can,
but I [like you] make no guarantees
too many clocks ticking for either comfort

but I still wait. For how long is up to you.