What I long to say is Walk beside me
but what I would really mean is
Don’t, for your shadow will likely spook me
and I have too many of my own ghosts
to welcome another.
Much better
if you walk one step
ahead, so that we share
in the illusion of affection
but in fact I can watch
safely
for any
sudden movements.
It’s no use
of course.
Many have tried
none have succeeded
to walk in step,
not even in a simple
spirit of solidarity —
the legions easily
outnumber
even the friendliest spirit.
Nevertheless,
try again tomorrow
to love me
and we may yet find
a tardy Valentine
to bother with us
lost somewhere deep
in a dappled forest —
the kind where shadows
are confused and paths
are far too narrow
for two hand-in-hand
so we’ll walk one-by-one
and count ourselves
together.

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