Too Close For Comfort Poem by Iquo Umoh

In my bemusement of life
Looking at mans strife
And listening to hearts conversations
A question arises in time
What is too close for comfort?
Where do we draw the line?
That defines our inward enclosure
And really determine our composure
Not bringing in seclusion
Which deludes our minds with an illusion?

What is too close for comfort?
I ask myself in retrospect
Among strangers is it the shake of hands
Among acquaintances is it the quest to know
Betwixt acquaintances and friends
Is it the revealing of ourselves?
Between friends is it the warm embrace;
The holding of hands; the preening of hair;
The kind words spoken
Betwixt friends edging on to closeness

What is too close for comfort?
Is it the kiss given in greeting instead of affection?
Is it keeping in touch when the other is away?
Is it in telling how well one is thought of?
What then is too close for comfort?
My mind twirls in frills and stops
In wonder and is stupefied
Like a light bulb switched on
My delusion which was confusion
Came to a resolution which is revelation

Nothing is too close for comfort
We all define how close we get
To the other soul we meet
But how absurd it is
To do a particular
When unknown we were
And when we are known
Pretend the particular
Was never attempted
And so I amuse myself with life’s trappings
Then the question arises “too close for comfort? ”

(Calabar, Nigeria.2004)