Ideals based on “Romance”

by Claude McKay

Noelle Hansel

To hold you and lay my head on your heart

Familiar comfort and not apart

To quietly breathe out your name, you’re mine. And fly to Alaska on an airline;

To slowly trace letters on your tattoo, And lay kisses on your mole till you knew

Three words exchanged, but not how I want it. Words declared like lovers they don’t permit;

To hear you ask if we are forever? And I answer for any endeavor.

To be the reason your eyes fill with joy

Everything you do (to me) can destroy

It is lovely. I dream of false ideals. Why else? If not for Love’s certain appeals.

I dream of false ideals, but is it love — This sweet fantasy is written above