I don’t want to just beat a dead horse
or flog a dying one
but I really want to see you again
and I’m not sure if that’s really in the cards.
I’m not getting much sense of reciprocation from you
and it might be because I’m so exceedingly bad at all this
and it might be all those very specific excuses you gave
while rejecting me those last six times.

But it might be
that you have no interest
and while I don’t like the sound of that,
like, at all,
I’d rather know
you won’t go out with me
than spend so much time
in this failed pursuit.

I haven’t asked you outright
but is it all right
if I ask you out?
Are you ever gonna say yes
or should I go out into the cold
away from you?