Tonight's Poet Corner: Don't Try

Don't Try
by Belinda Roddie

You think you're hot stuff when you try a
new umbrella boy for size, but
I see right through you, so listen - please
don't try to prove to guys you know that
you're willing to drive on their rough road 'cause
I have seen the way you look at me.

The flush in your cheeks as you stare at
ladies' smiles and hands and hair just
remind me of the trouble that you face.
I wish there was a way that I
could brush away the guilt that flies
across your shoulders when you look away.

So don't try to run, don't try to hide your
feelings that you lock inside, the
kind that'll scream until it's set free. Don't
try to love a feller's kiss when
he can't bring you that much bliss, and
please don't try to keep your love from me.

We trade words on a yellow moon when
nights are hot and drinks are cool and
petty intoxication brings us down. I
watch the way booze chills your mind and
makes you grab me from behind, but
I'm not one to simply fool around.

The promises you slip my way are as
old and dry as summer clay and
I'm just tired of secrets in my life. I'd
tell you how I'd make you proud to
be with me and love out loud and
beat the odds by making me your wife.

So don't try to run, don't try to hide your
feelings that you lock inside, the
kind that'll scream until it's set free. Don't
try to love a feller's kiss when
he can't bring you that much bliss, and
please don't try to keep your love from me.

Another night's laid down her head. We're
tangled up upon your bed, but
you don't look at me each time we touch.
I know your father would start to scream, and your
mom would weep and flee the scene. To
ask for you to be true, is that too much?

Please don't try to run, don't try to hide your
feelings that you lock inside, the
kind that'll scream until it's set free. Don't
try to love a feller's kiss when
he can't bring you that much bliss, and
please don't try to keep your love from me.

When the wind blows hard against our house and your
family tries to shut you out, you
can't help but assess priorities. So don't
try to love the ones you miss when
they can't bring you that much bliss, and
please don't try to keep your love from me.