I want to hold you so near

That we become only one,

But something has come between:

A feeling of unloved fear

That you’d like to ignore, shun;

Blind thoughts of what might have been.

Our relationship’s futile,

Because we lack a good chance

Of making it permanent:

Love need not mean denial

Of ourselves, but can enhance

Ev’rything, to each, we’ve meant.

(written in 1977)