deemoyza | Poem: "Be Gentle With My Heart"

I. Her Heart

It took but just a tender touch
From your strong and callused hands
To thaw my insecurities
And lay to waste my plan

To keep the fortress 'round my heart
Built of fear and grave distrust
Now I tear it down to lay myself
Upon the altar of your love

I cast aside my silken armor
Lay bare my flesh and soul
Silence all my fears and doubts
Surrender my control

I sigh and shiver at your kiss
Becoming supple in your arms
And pray you hear my silent plea:

Show me mercy, be gentle with my heart

I curve my body into yours
As if seeking shelter from a storm
And let my façade of iron crack
Run through by tears so warm

I've been strong for far too long
And made my loneliness an art
So, please don't judge my weakness now
Be gentle with my heart

II. His Heart

There was something different in your voice
In the way you said my name
There was a plea, an openness
That set my blood aflame

I wonder still if it's a dream
As you now shelter in my arms
Pray, let this not be cruel deceit –

Show me mercy, be gentle with my heart

I never dared touch you before
With these coarse and sullied hands
Which had drawn forth during my youth
The blood of other men

You'd always seemed so delicate
A carving of smooth stone
Until you drew me fast to you
With a strength all of your own

My body trembles at first brush
Of your warm and searching lips
And seeks, and finds, the same response
In you when, at last, we kiss

All the trappings of bravery
That I maintain while we're apart
Fall away beneath your touch
So, please, be gentle with my heart

Dee Moyza