Mine

I admire from a distance,
but up close I can’t express.
Any praise or admiration
just gets swallowed and suppressed.

In the shelter of my mind,
I can think of what I’d say.
But from your glance and from your presence,
I bow my head and turn away.

Now after months of cowardly hiding,
more like a mouse than like a man,
Can I really be surprised
to see you in another’s hands?

Since it’s true that through my actions
I could have given you no sign.
The blame for my own failure
is not his nor yours, but mine.