Nervous Dance

One more exhausted boy debates the plan — Essentially, it all boils down to this: What he might have to do to earn a kiss, A sigh, an invitation to the clan, And how much further she might let a man Continue, or a boy, towards that bliss He's aiming at, and what would make him miss His several targets. He'll do what he can. Invariably, he fails. There's just no chance Of his succeeding ordinarily, And even if, one time in twenty-three, He makes the right steps in this nervous dance, Those steps won't work next time. Retreat, advance, Retreat again, with greater probity.