RUMINATIONS ON LAST NIGHT

I should have stayed with you last night
should have crashed at your pad
should have…
I don’t know,
spent the night in your room
under your covers
beneath your hair
splayed across my chest.
I should have expressed myself
more clearly
let secret things be shown
allowed segments of my heart
to be known.

I should have walked you upstairs
ensuring your safety
and allowing opportunities
ultimately unexperienced.

I should have dared
but you could have, too.
Why is it the man’s place to be forward,
to make the attempt
to, damnit, be the man?

The night we could have had…
missing it,
it’s just sad, you know?