All That I Hold Dear

If I could run away—but do I dare?

Do I dare to think it, dare to wish,

Dare to hope and pray,

To dream of it in sleep,

(Even dream throughout the day?)

To cling with all my waning strength,

Somehow all but drained,

A whispering voice I cannot place—

And is it all in vain?

If I should choose to run,

Will I find you at my side?

Would you turn and run the other way,

Or will your steps echo mine?

A choice, a choice, you have a choice—

     Do I?

When I run, I won’t look back,

For fear of what I’ll find,

For fear that I should choose to stay—

Have I made up my mind?

I have, I have, I’ve made my choice,

Today, I’ll run, today.

But do I dare to ask myself—

If I should choose to stay,

(At the very least, delay),

Would I be taken back?

Will you hold me so I cannot go,

Cannot run, cannot flee,

So I forget it altogether,

So I cannot escape?

You would cling with all your tested strength,

And whisper in my ear,

That all I did was not in vain,

Nor all that I hold dear.