By Linda Tenney
Date: 8 December 1997

Masquerade

Thoughts unspoken rumble ‘round
Desperate to explore uncharted ground.
Balancing precariously on a limb
Longing to satisfy a dangerous whim.
Invisible yearnings tug her heartstrings
Oh, the chaos that longing brings!

She trembles as he reaches for her and pulls her close
Of all her emotions, surrender she feels most.
Her soul is bared as he searches her eyes
The hunger that rages, she cannot disguise.
Their lips meet, moist with desire
Anticipating the encounter about to transpire.

The darkness of night yields to the day
As the curtain falls on their passion play.
What was it that brought them here?
The goal is hazy; their motives unclear.
The physical pleasure lies only on the surface
Any joining of two belies a deeper purpose.


To reclaim that part we feel we have lost
We take the risk, no matter the cost.
Searching for ourselves in another’s eyes
We seek that essence which we recognize.
And though we can’t name it, we seek it just the same
To make it our own is our ultimate aim.

Though consuming passion is powerful indeed
It cannot provide all that we need.
Like a brilliant gem, it captures our attention
Yet inhibits us from true ascension.
For the bittersweet desire we dare to express
Is but a minute facet of the love we possess.