a safe distance from my destruction br br let me be nothing to you, br not a bell with a voice br to rattle the rust from your stagnant muse, br not a breath to infect your body with life. br br let me dead to you; br to your eyes and their vision, br to your hands and their compassion- br br br let me be less to you; br not a wonderful lover br with a womb to plant your name in, br not a mother who'll bear heirs of your flesh. br br br let me not be your queen, br the reasons why br the sun and moon must rise and set- br not the gravity by which br the seasons and tides must turn and wane. br br let me not be your clock, br your coffin or your heart, br the faith you devote your prayers and tithing to- br br just let me rest, the discolored shell upon shore, br humming a lullaby of the ocean, br admire my beauty from afar- br but never love me, for I sing alone.