People Watching

The key is to stare too long
Only at the people you don't care about--
The ugly ones, society's rejects,
You instantly know who they are.
What does it matter if your prying eyes
Remind them of their shortcomings?
They have nothing to offer you,
Only the gross satisfaction of reading
Their abysmal life stories
On their grotesque faces.
When it comes to the beautiful,
Don't stare too long.
You might fall in love
And a moment later have your heart broken
As they walk away.

For an Old Friend

I've been walking around, averting my gaze,
Afraid of seeing others and being seen,
Defending my pride with the broken sword
Of ignorance and hate.
But now I am awake,
Refreshed after that night of deep
And dour dreams.
All it took to wake me was the sound of your voice
Calling my name.

Speak My Love

She is the needle, and foolishness
The drug.
She has punctured me a thousand times
And do I tell her?
No. I do not speak my love.
She is the sore upon my tongue
That oozes bitter blood.
I do not eat. I starve myself.
And I do not speak my love.
She is the eye that constantly fixes its gaze
Upon every secret in my hidden heart.
She knows, yes, she knows!
But I do not speak my love.
And when I sleep, she is my dream
Long unknowingly desired.
But even then, in the realm of oblivion,
I do not speak my love.