The Terror From the Deep – A Poem by Rowe Williams

I've been listening to love songs lately. 
A dangerous undertaking in most circumstances, 
but especially in that of sentimentality. 

There is (or was), I think, something 
in each of us that cried out 
for love. 

But at the same time, we didn't know 
what love was - a perfection 
we claw at with imperfect hearts. 

A need so desperate, so impossible, 
that we can't help but be our own version 
of Tantalus, tasting ambrosiac love... 

to be rewarded with a memory of pure humanity 
that we never actually experienced,
and the uncertain terror of whether we ever will. 

Love terrifies me. 
And I've never wanted so badly 
to be afraid.