What do you expect

What do you expect

From me

I can see something

Written in your eyes

The way you look

To burn a hole through

My disguise

Nothing is as difficult

As holding your gaze

Without feeling the heat

Of defeat

Every time I look away

You smile

Am I the victim

In a game you play

Forever diminished

By the strength

Of your conviction

I am convinced

You know love

When I can barely

Say the word

What is it you see

When you look my way

Pretension

So easily removed

Whenever you are near

I feel naked

My fostered

Innocence exposed

What do you know

Of mumbled discomfort

The prickle of sweat

On the nape of a neck

A shiver

Of suppression

The fear of detection

What do you see

In me

When all I ever see

Is you...