Am I making the same mistake differently this time?  Is this only going to end up the same as before?  My heart pulverized, trampled as my empty shell lays trodden on the floor.

I touch you, tentatively, relishing the realness of you.  I am young again, not knowing of life, not knowing of the dangers of heart break.  

I draw back, burned by your desire.  What if I fail?  You are not her, I cannot do the familiar with you and achieve the same results.  

You pull me back in, sheltering me, stroking passion's fire as I thought only she knew how.  

You give me new hope for life
                                     for  love
                                     for passion.
You give me new hope for meaning.

I run to you, clinging to the strength everyone thinks *I* possess.