By James Silva
Date: 20 September 1998

A Distant Touch

			I

Closely come to me my sweet, in dream, I,
harbinger of unquiet love, always wistful
always waiting, and you, my love, bounding unto
nascent heart of mine, as the nymph of Nabokov,
tender, unsuspecting, and now your distant figure 
evoking longing, from a heart absent complacency
love escaping, the sea between us, a touch, maybe, but, no
… my lament, never ending, the dream is for you.


			II

Caresses from your heart, distant now, my silent alibi,
holding tight these memories, unfading, though vestigial,
all Love asks of me, to bare a soul, proud no more, end of ego,
nearer to me, your sweet embrace, of long ago, is now a shiv,
time heals not, Love's torment, yet I cleave,
escape impossible, desire will not relent, no ambiguity,
listen close my dear, this plea to life, and love, also
…forevermore, in faith, I love, and it's you.


			III

Chimera of you, my love, never will I
hold in my arms, never a kiss, never to tell
a friend in low whispers of my passion, and so
night becomes day, your vision, my leitmotiv,
tomorrow there's hope, yet silence reigns, immovable,
eternal adoration, leaves me spent, this space, perfidy,
love's anguish, never fair, a forced halo,
…yet I can't let go, the ties I made, for love of you.


			IV

Coursing through mind's eye, a love for you, my fait accompli,
hand of God averred, not meant for me, this fool's betrothal,
at last, sweet love, my fate understood, alone, Intimacy's afficionado,
no one but you has held this heart, in fine balance, as a dancer from Kirov,
today's lost, love sought in vain, and, I, Cupid's muse,
elated and empty, I dream of your scent, wafting, wily,
latent life the essence of you, it fills my soul complete with yearning, and so
…I give my life and seek Love's justice, and await a glance from you.



			V

Calling me in sleep, as zephyrs of the Venus of Botticelli,
hush, herald of desires, though, I, victim of Love's gavel,
am afraid no more of the silence, content with lone love, and so,
never have I touched you my sweet, our bond, barren as the desert Negev, 
this cannot be, I love, deny it I won't, keep me close,
earthly entanglements, but your love, living, enduringly,
look at me my darling, it's I, offering life, don't say no,
…yet wherever we dare, my heart remains with you.



			VI

Carefree soul, my joy, this heart sings in vox populi,
hear, and Truth I'll confess, my heart's fontanel,
always it's you I love, I can't escape, I'll be not a hero,
no one fills me in splendor, but you, as the movement of Nureyev,
tomorrow's hope of happiness, please come true,
else, I'll remain a searching soul of Love's soliloquy,
listen my sweet, my beating heart, these words, don't go,
…and ever ardent I'll live my life, forever, in love with you.



			VII

Clarions call, it's Love's entreat, and I
have all to give, and nothing I'll gain, yet I still revel,
anthems of love, my only repose, yet, no,
never reveals me, I cannot be there, these walls of Kiev,
turn them down my love, and there I'll be,
ever forbearing, my passion for your beauty,
listing now heavily, your essence my ballast, and so
…goodbye, for now, my sweet, and remember, I'll always love you.