AI art by me and dedicated, as is this poem, to Shimmering Muse (with her prior consent)

Like it is so often true, she has no concept of her due,

Oh, she might know that she’s attractive and her words are quite reactive,

But deep inside and late at night, I think she does not get it right,

She questions if she is enough for some have treated her quite rough,

Oh, rest assured, my Shining Muse, who hides behind your clever ruse,

Of keeping those who know you real unknowing truly how you feel,

A sparking wire, a dancing flame, a lover who is without shame,

But only for a select few, the ones that guess at secret truths,

Now, listen, as I tell you true, you are more bite than most can chew,

Those who’ve felt the rising heat have found that they all must retreat,

For they are scared that they will burn, these foolish ones who’ll never learn,

If they’d but followed forth the path that you outlined in every swath,

Of poetry or prose you’ve written, they never saw what you have hidden,

In between the lines or verse, for there is writ your universe,

Like others who I’ve mentioned here, you’ve shown the way to what’s most dear,

Behind the facade and the bluff, behind the woman who seems tough,

There lies…well, I don’t think I’ll say, I’d tell too much along the way,

Why should I share what I do know? Why help them with the where to go?

This is a gift I will not share, this is privilege so rare,

And so, like you, a Sphinx I’ll be and treasure up the Muse I see,

Thank you for your trust in this, I hope that you won’t find amiss,

I didn’t truly yet define the labyrinth within your mind.

I’ll keep my knowledge in a box, secured with adamantine locks,

It’s good enough to know and prize what can be seen in your dark eyes.

Sufficient, it will have to be, that you know what you mean to me.

Master Jon Grey 5/7/25