He liked her.
He liked her enough to want to ask her out
but not enough to risk being rejected by her.
He just didn’t think he could risk being rejected
by someone like her.
He didn’t think it would work with his reputation.

Not that he thought it was likely
that he’d be rebuffed,
but if there was a chance…
better to be lonely
than to risk that particular humiliation.

So he cursed the darkness alone
as she went out and about
with a dozen other suitors
who didn’t mind the risk
and saw nothing questionable
with someone like her
in the first place.