Deja Vu
Slowly, carefully, the doorknob turns—
Grasped by some unseen hand.
Slowly, carefully, the door swings open, and I
Hide and wait—silently, alert—
As some unseen stranger enters.
I feel the presence of the intruder
From where I crouch—every muscle taut—
Ears straining to hear a tell-tale noise
That might clue me as to where the intruder is.
But the Clever One makes no move; makes no sound—
It waits for me to come out of hiding.
No, I say, not this time—
This time you will not catch me.
Yet I slowly arise from my hiding spot, no longer
Anchored safely by rational thought.
I let go my logic and act on impulse—
Unknowingly living the same scenario over again.
Deftly, deliberately, it waits
For me to come to it;
This intruder to my domain,
And my weakened will offers no resistance
As I am drawn deeper and deeper.
Again I take the bait and become ensnared—
Entranced by the enticing, inviting aura
Of the stranger’s beck and call.
I struggle, but to no avail.
My shields are down and my strength is gone—
I am drained from the whole ordeal.
I may yet escape this encounter,
But Love will soon again creep up on me
From out of the darkness
And ensnare me once more.
I cannot help it; it’s not my fault—
It’s always a surprise attack.
Copyright ©1996 by Veronica L. F. Jensen
