Don't Drive Him Off

You can start gathering sticks
To build a shared house
You have every intention
On making him happier with you here
You have my full permission
To think about him as much as you like
Match your name with his
And imagine the best
But know what to expect
All closets have doors
If yours has a lock, use it well
But don’t drive him off
Keep your head
And don’t drive him off
Speaking to you as though I may know you
Twenty some years under the belt
And nothing to show
Dream of him when you can
Tell no one
But find two you can confide in
At least one who knows him
And share the secret
That you want to be rid of
But, no
You merely want it to never have happened
Cry at night, if it strikes you
But don’t drive him off
Keep your distance
And don’t drive him off
Fashion a love that he will want
And want to keep
And feel the stone hit your chest
When he does not
Be who you think you are
To the best of your knowledge
Even when it is not who he thinks you should be
Let your limbs fall
Let your heart sink
Let your mind be not fenced
Let your smile fade
Let your hands shake
And your heart beat out of its cage
Let the wolves feed
And the earth thereafter
And don’t ever let him see
Don’t drive him off
Keep away, now, before the time runs
Don’t drive him off