Hidden Love

The longer I sat in that room

With you next to me, yet far away,

The weaker I felt--

My lips stayed dry

no matter how often

I tried to wet them;

My breath came in sighs,

slipping past the lump

in my throat;

My heart pounded against

my chest, each beat

repeating your name;

My stomach was aflutter

with nervouse butterflies

of anticipation;

My legs shook so hard

I could not even

begin to stand;

My entire body grew warm

from the flames of

passion and desire;

And yet you never knew

what your mere

presence could do

to me.

© 1988 TDR

Untitled

Here we stand, playing out our roles once more:

You're the cold, aloof, somewhat crazy star with the crowd eating out of his hand;

I'm the lady with the smile, staying cool, not letting anyone see where my loyalties lie.

But my role keeps getting harder to play, for I see pain in your eyes more often these days and know you're thinking of the people we really are.

When the house lights go up and it's time to go home,

that's when we can really begin to live.

I fall into your arms, knowing I'll never want another,

for no other man could make me feel the way you do.

And you, no longer so aloof, cling to me as well,

waiting to hear my critique of the show,

anxious for a re-affirmation of the strength of our love.

Even though I've heard the logic and reasoning a thousand times--

an attached man loses his appeal and popularity too fast--

I can't help resenting what this double life has done to us.

We both long to share our love and happiness with the world,

but we know we can't take that risk, at least for now,

so we must be content to share a secret love.

© 1983 TDD