Shattered dreams, broken wings,
I cannot see.
Life continues around me,
Only I am left behind.

Plunged into an ocean of humanity
A cascade of expectations assaults me;
Discordant music.
I can never be all the voices wish me to become.

One lone stare seeks me out,
One paltry girl who is anything but insignificant.
She doesn't like me, but that doesn't matter—many don't.
What matters is her presence.

I didn't invite her into my life
She had to fight her way past my defenses.
But now she is such a part of me,
Life without her is no life at all.

I think I love her.

I want to reach out to her, to be drawn into her charmed circle.
I dare not.
Caution has ruled me for so long.
Mine is a silent passion.

She is so bright—a pure flame in the darkness;
Like a moth I am drawn to her.
Her life lies all before her, rife with promise—
What could she want with me?

But when she smiles, I hope.

Delirious ecstasy:
She loves me.
It seems a fantastic dream,
But my eyes are open.

Drunk on the sweet nectar of romance,
Soft velvet rain invigorates me.
I embrace the bright new dawn.