Seduction - Poem

A poem about the danger of empathic transference

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Empathic Seduction

Before the warning,
before the ache learns its name,
there is still water...

a surface so faithful
it mistakes hunger for beauty,
and a face bending close enough

to believe
the reflection is reaching back...

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My tender friend,
If I turn myself fully to you,
it will ruin you.

If I look upon you ... pause to see you,
the shimmer of my gaze will pierce,
a needle pumping oblivion,
recognition high into your need.

If I craft words of you,
your heart will thunder under their weight,
moaning beneath the press of me,
care's caress answering want.

The glance of my eyes,
silken like jazz across an empty dance floor,
beckon you to unfold
spine curving into sighs.

But if you linger
in the velvet warmth of my empathy,
you will wander
off.

Craving ...
the touch of knowing,
a breath of yes,
another dose of relief.

You will crave
                                  you.

The mirror of you,
yes you, dear.

For it was never me you longed for.
But only my reflection
of your own delicious
unwinding.

©2026 Kim Williams, M.Div.

Photo by Srathicksha M on Unsplash