New Poem: Intimate

there is nothing tougher than standing
before a woman and baring my soul
tougher than standing buck naked.

to expose my raw nerve endings
but when intimacy is the goal
there is no way i can fake it.

and my openness here is not pandering
i'd rather go see a dancer work a pole
i'd rather go have a cigar and a steak.

but no!
i must go forth
and share my bloodied soul,
dearest friend;
to your will i submit,
dearest love;
for your heart, i surrender,
my favorite bartender.

(c) fprm, 2008