Quasimodo: To Esmeralda

i look into your eyes and see the stars burning quietly in a midnight sky and i am humbled. what hope have i to rein a winged foal dancing on a distant cloud chasing the maiden moon as she scatters her delicate veils of luminous dust on the sleeping earth below. what hope have i disfigured and alone who cannot speak and dare not feel you will not hear the silent voice that clamors in a trembling heart you will not see the man imprisoned by the shackles of his soul you will not know me. i leave you now lift your voice to the wind run free brave spirit we never meet again but i have looked into your eyes and glimpsed the stars. (Previously published in Lynx Eye, Spring '99, Vol. VI, No.2)