One is the agonizing ache of unrequited love, the other is the depth of experience when feeling cut off. It seems we are constantly wrestling with one form of isolation or another.

Secret Admirer by Jude Itakali

Is it your smile
that dazzles me
The softness of your voice
that comforts me
The light in your eyes
scrying my future joys
Am I selfish
for thinking you are the answer
Presumptuous
for dreaming you can want me too

I’d like to tell you-
I’m under your spell
I’d like to speak my mind
with the melody from my heart
I’d like to say, I love you
But I cannot
Lest I spook and alarm
For already,
You are too precious to lose
And a little bit of you
Is better thannone at all

Paramour of dreams 
Peculiar with perfection 
My heart surrenders 
betrothed…