-- Locked in a Secret --

John Herlihy

I ended up locked in a secret,

Where I never meant to be found.

A tale I was obliged to keep it,

Locked in a bottle fully bound.

A taste of illicit love,

I found challenging to bear.

Fly as on the wings of a dove,

But a love not able to share.

Each of us had made a vow,

Our love never to reveal.

To our promise we did bow,

Our love always to conceal.

A tale I could not justify,

Not explain to family or friend.

Impossible their questions to satisfy,

Locked in the secret until the end.

Her secret never to be told,

If exposed, her world would be finished.

Fears of exposure left her cold,

Her full life would be diminished.

Finally, it felt wrong,

Someone, once loved, betrayed.

Briefly we sang our song,

Its tender feelings have stayed.

In pain to let her go,

No longer such lightning, thunder.

In future, she will never know,

How hard to give up such wonder.

Beautiful while it did last,

I will miss her, hold her dear.

Its meaning I will hold fast,

So she will always remain near.

A secret locked within,

Forever cast in mystery.

To think of her, my thoughts spin,

Only we know its hidden beauty.

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Copyright © John Herlihy

Tuesday 20 October 2020