Unspent Muse's Ode

Every time you didn’t cry That’s my reward My reason why Each time I feel my heart would die Is pain I can afford Every bright moment you lent That’s your riposte, Muse not yet spent; And how can I much more repent When nothing real was lost? Every day apart from me A quiet smile: I know you’re free From what was never meant to be At least, within this while Every morning half awake A fleeting dream I can’t forsake Begrudging consciousness, I shake Away the distant gleam: An impossible love’s dream Not mine to take. Mark Burton Saturday, December 16th, 2006, 5:13 A.M.