Polish and Shine

It’s too hard to look at. I take it out and put it straight back in,
A display of affection as blatant as a stiff, smooth mannequin,
And it won’t do to serve it like this, lying flat upon the plate,
To make it like it should be, I will have to reformulate
And balance it all on the scales; examine the results,
While hiding it behind what will look like impulse.

No declaration nailed up on the door,
Whispered sentiments mean so much more
And they’re what you’ll remember, after all,
My words will tingle in your ears and call
You back to me despite your second thoughts,
I promise you won’t be ensnared or caught
But simply come to see,
Gradually, by degree,
That I deserve to shine in the spotlight
You thrust everywhere but on me tonight.

Still it’s repulsively obvious. I need to be more sly:
Instead of saying what I want, I have got to imply
And thus maintain your interest, your curiosity
I must ensure is fixed solely on the ideal me
That you have failed to notice so far:
The image of perfection no single stain can mar.

So now – a quake of fear – must be the time,
I step towards you but forget my lines,
And everything I prepared leaves my head,
My efforts over-practised, over-fed
With morsels of fevered imagination,
And now every pause is a laceration,
As I struggle to reclaim polish and shine,
But realise that I am doing fine
Without aiming in vain at the divine,
A smile’s all I needed to make you mine.