leashed within the confines of your soul
safe
fearful of the world
and the pain it holds

hearts can be tamed and tethered
but being thus
can never run free
(feeling the pounding exhilaration as they race
the wash of the rains that are their own tears
the joy at bounding wildly alive
hand in hand
neck and neck
step for step
with another of their kind)
true passion flows from such race
and no other

oh they do often mimic that:
(safe within their own fences)
two hearts cry out at one another
o'er top the walls of their confinement
and call it joy
(safe from it though they are)

how do you do that?
(tie up your heart)
i fear i know

i stand
contemplating mine
scarred
bitten
lop-eared
worn
holding the measured length
that would give it rest
(and safety)
knowing
now is the moment
it might be done

reviled rope!
i'll not harness that which
the deity within me
gave such freedom to

see it run
and beckon those a'fenced

they lie
(still)
(tame)
knowing their fate

yet
some strain at their leashes
longing to feel the heat of chasing aimlessly alongside
another
the wind of their own running
warm at their temples
foretelling the rains
that will certain come
and soak them
(rejuvenate them)
bind them
as one

see it run
not knowing when or how
it will find another
(free)
(wild)
like itself
untamed
passionate
alive

how do you do that?
(tie up your heart)
i wish i knew