Black armour

My feelings of love and affection

Are covered with an invisible cloak,

That I must always wear, tightly,

Lest this rash ardour should, uncontrollable,

Break out and embarrass the world


I can never hope to be a man

Like the others you can always view

From day to day, covering affection

And affliction, without a mental doubt,

Like that which will eventually destroy me.


Doubtless I am not alone in this

Horrible dream and life of misery,

I know that others like me exist,

But I will never meet or know them,

For they are as guarded as I.