Can such deep dark eyes

like peat river pools

make their desire so plain?

They certainly can.

 

But, regretfully withholding

considering too long

how many lives might be hurt

far more than only mine.

 

So forgot, or at least tried to

those pleading dark eyes

but secreted them away

as something very precious.

 

Warm and consoling

to quicken sluggish blood

during those long wintry

frost-haired days to come.