Who Takes The Next Step? Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

If I had not felt from you,
Inspiration to provide me with incentive...
You would be left as someone I met.
Someone introduced to eventually leave,
With a shown respect.
That's it.
Although 'something' is there unspoken.

And more in you I saw presented.
More I knew you represented.
In depth and vast experiences kept.
As if to protect it from being detected.
You did this not to express or impress.
Or deny me from becoming captivated.

And here I am to remain to wonder,
If the feeling is mutual...
Who takes the next step?
And how fast we both can get,
To explore that intimacy.
Wanted to admit but not knowing the 'how',
To bring to the surface to share it together.

'I like you, but...'

I know.
I've heard those 'buts' before.

'Me too.
I should have said,
I like you, if...'

If?
If what?

'If my liking you is mutually felt?
I don't know why these things,
Are so difficult for me to get expressed.
You see. I...'

Come here.
Shut up.
Let's kiss.