I. Double Solitaire It's Monday, and our masks are now in place-- We both have carefully rehearsed our part. "Good morning, Kel," I say with cheerful grace, Just as if you didn't own my heart And all my soul. "Hi, Dix," you say, and then You carry on with your accustomed poise As if I were to you like any friend. Our day continues, filled with stress and noise. But there is more to us than meets the eye; A certain tone of voice, the briefest glance, The rose appearing on my desk one day As if by alchemy. But yet we dance In isolated steps we cannot share-- The game we play is double solitaire.

II. Conflict of Interest You called me 'hopeless' once, and you were right, For so I am, and have been, since we met. I wish there were a bridge from dark to light; But if there is, I haven't found it yet. For long ago, I chose a different goal-- A rigorous and single-minded life. Hippocrates now owns me, heart and soul; What right have such as I to choose a wife? There are some things a man may rightly do In random moments, scattered here and there, But marriage is a lifelong bond for two Requiring all we have, and all we are. No man can serve two rulers, that is true; There's not enough of me to offer you.

III. Vision You pride yourself on clear and reasoned sight-- How can you see so well, and be so blind? You view the world as only black or white, So other visions never cross your mind. You think that work and love can never be Allied in passion or in one heart combined; And for that cause, you grieve yourself and me, And leave us both to solitude resigned. It doesn't have to be; why can't we bear The weight on both our shoulders day by day, Together, not alone, so we can share Each other's griefs and joys along the way? It's better to be two than only one, For life is short; our days will soon be done.

IV. Words The words I know are cold and sharp and clear; They gleam like steel scalpels in the light. And yet the words I wish that you could hear Are different ones. I strive with all my might For metamorphosis: I must become Other than I am, to win your heart. I stand before you, stricken mute and dumb; For gentle speech I have no native art. I have no tongue, but only hands and eyes To show you how I love you. Though it seems I do not care, the truth is otherwise. You are the guiding star of all my dreams. So do not listen, but watch me day by day And hear the words I don't know how to say.