I sympathize, but I don’t have it in me
to be more than this hissing, spitting creature,
recoiling even as I crave to warm myself near you.

It has been too many freezing rainy nights in the dark
to remember what it’s like to rest in the halo of that fire.

Which is not to say: leave me here alone,
rather, if you’re up for this dance of fore and back,

and back,

…well.

I can’t make any promises about what comes next,
but I know you heard the purr that escaped my throat in spite of myself.