everywhere

how do i ask
this world
so drenched in

beauty
not to seduce me

everywhere
constantly

your image
is there, ready
to become the
subject of my
longing

the angle of your chin
the shape of your mouth
the lock of hair
grazing your cheek

but i do not
want to do this to you

hold you
as an object of desire

or distant
fixation

it is so easy
to lose myself
in images
and imagination

i am learning
to turn away

contemplating
what it would be like
to reach into the pool
of potential realities,
find a hand,
hold it.