A Man’s Reply

I wrote this poem in 1983, at the age of 16. It was written from what I believed was a man’s point of view on love and passion. It describes the conflict between desire and the need for freedom. Compare this poem to Woman-I, also written in the early 1980s, and from a woman’s point of view.

Your laughter

Lights up

The darkness

Of my soul –

The softness

Of your hair

Awakens in me

Emotions long forgotten.

Your faith

In me

Is my antidote

To life.

But your tears

Hinder my dreams

Your possessiveness

Stifles my freedom.

Woman,

I am a Man –

A man of integrity.

Trust me

Give me peace

And I will reward you

With happiness, security and love.

I long to lose myself

In your mysterious depths

But my instincts crave to flee

From your charms.

Your defiance

Is most becoming –

Your selflessness

Supreme.

You are a myriad

Of faces and emotions –

But pray, tell me

Which one are you really?

Vanita Shukla Hork, 1983

If you liked this poem, you will enjoy my book Memories from another Lifetime: Love.  Available on Amazon, free on KindleUnlimited. Please do leave a review.