[ fAwL ] ZERO

 
You're confusing the tightly knit  
circle of friends encompassing me  
with the actual number of persons  
uncompromisingly comprising it  
 
And I don't have room to spare  
nor the time within my sphere  
for a bunch of strangers making  
guessed appearances;  
 
we'll get to know everything  
there is to know about one another  
or you will learn next to NOTHING  
on a none-of-your-business  
need-to-know-basis  
 
It's that simple of a lesson; plan  
on learning it while you can---  
Now, as there won't be a Later  
 
You will not walk away  
a mile down the road, thinking  
Nah, I changed my mind  
 
Tossing away years of support  
into a dumpster fire of spectacled  
self-absorption --- not an option  
 
Our History will never be  
up for revision like a poem  
you regret writing upon realization  
it metaphorically reflects poorly  
on you, not me  
 
Alliances, dalliances, romances---  
ancillary [d]ances of any kind  
are off the table  
 
See, I've no desire to embark on  
elation trips of relationships  
reeking of the temporary---  
slightest whiff of such and  
up goes the ZERO barrier  
 
Should I invite you in  
it will be Forever  
 
[ and I will do my damndest  
to make you feel at Home  
 
or until you execute an exit  
strategy ]  
 
but this will only happen  
when I recognize a true friend  
gifted from the Universe  
 
Otherwise  
 
I know my limitations  
 
And now you do as well