The Most Beautiful Cruel

My lips are glued shut. I am rendered speechless

by imagining

but I think I am less than you desire

and although I know there are times

when the cosmos colludes to make me appealing -

mostly I am not.

So instead of blossoming in your presence -

I shrink and shrivel

become even less than I am.

But then you smile

It is the most beautiful cruel – false hope