Shyness

Tall and lovely maiden passing by
With hair as bright and radiant as the sun,
What lies beneath your meek and fearful eye
Which flits across my brow and then is gone,
Obscured from vision by averted gaze
A hidden gleam of hope and mystery.
Could I withstand the brilliance of those rays
Focused and directed unto me?
Or would my own eyes flee before their glance
And, blinded, seek the safety of the night?
What noble utterance from my lips could dance
While trembling do I stand within your sight?
And so I too hide my eyes lest you see
That I'm as scared of you as you of me.

George Chadderdon © 1993