The Bird of Paradise

For years,
From a distance, I’ve admired you
Whilst up close
I was uncomfortable and contorted in my own skin
Twisted inside out, upside down
Weighed down by the weight of rejection
I was ballast
A memory skips into view
An offering. A book.
Returned ridiculed by a friend

For years
I’ve wondered about you
Whilst curled in bed
Entwined in the arms of others
And in passing there has been
A drip feed of emotions
Slowly
Softly developing
Revealing themselves in all their beauty
Softly yet slowly presenting
The opportunity that you accepted
Leading to the weight that lifted itself

For years
I’ve desired you,
To end up spending one night in your company
Adjacent
Parallel
In the newest of surroundings
No kisses but the gentlest of embraces
Our lips never touching
Just patience I say to myself.
because for years to come I will always admire you
Be it close
Or be it from afar and
I will dance like a bird of paradise for your affection