Touch-me-not

Cheer me up and I am startled

Not the happening but the act

Not the joy, the fun but the act

Not the happiness around but the act

Care a bit and I am scared

Not the act but the thought

Not the act but the review

Not the act, the thing but the prospect

Share with me and I am terrified

Not the food but the life-slice

Not the taste, the tang but the life-slice

Not the heartfelt but the life-slice

My end of bargain, can I keep - my worry

I will give everything, good enough?

My life for the moment, do I measure?

Last straw - my ego at your feet. Can I still pay back?