Hide

it's not an impending storm 
that sends people into their houses

but--
the threat of one

--that causes them to duck their heads,
close the windows,
yell for the kids to hurry home.

it is not the truth
but

the threat of being exposed
in a lie

--that sends us running to hide

to be both the storm
and the coward:
this is misery

hiding
as I lie down
to create shelter
from the storm
I've made
I get it,

finally--

I don't want love without being true.

And I cannot love
until I am known.