Imaginary lover

Imaginary Lover

You were something rare
 in my experience:
A man who took off his masks
when he took off his clothes.

Your nakedness spoke to mine-
proud, vulnerable, a little foolish,
and all too aware of it's absurdity.

I could always think
of half a hundred reasons
to say "No," but somehow
I always seemed to lose the thread
of my carefully reasoned arguments
just about the time you softly kissed my throat.

You were blessedly yourself,
innocently and unselfconsciously
lecherous,
while I talked myself
into and out of loving you
Just as if I had a choice.