Never Before

Never Before

You have released a well
within me
Never before have my poems
Known such unabashed expression
I need you, want you, love you, hate you

And never before
Have I been more unafraid
To pour myself out
on paper this way
To hold it all out to you
So wide open
Filled with my heart
My soul
My life
My sins
My pleasures
and despairs

It used to be that
I kept it all
Hidden deep inside
For none to see
No one to touch
or tell
Yet already I know you so well
Trust you so much
That I hold it out
for you
to touch
and see
Knowing
That you won't hurt me
Treasured, gentle, much loved man.