I BEG YOU by Laban Erapu

I beg you,

If you feel something like love for me,

Not to let me know it now

When I feel nothing so certain for you-

Wait until you’ve conquered my pride

By pretending not to care for me.

I beg you,

If you think your eyes will give you away,

Not to give me that longing look

When you know it will force the moment-

Wait until our heartbeats have settled

Then put your head on my shoulder.

I beg you

Not to let us surrender to passion

Until our liking has grown to love:

Let’s stop and look back,

Let’s draw apart and sigh,

Let’s stand back to back,

Let’s say good-bye for the day

And walk our different ways

Without pausing to wait

For an echo to our last word.

I beg you,

If you find yourself interlocked

In my embrace,

To kiss me and keep silent

Before I start making promises

That time may choose to byepass-

Wait until our hands are free,

Then listen to me;

Wait until our love is primed,

Then give me your hand.