his attempt to flatter me and his failure to do just that (poetry)

Well meaning? perhaps
Persuasive and charming? Hardly.
And there's the rub

Wanting it to be so is not enough; is never enough

At some point a chord must be struck
else it is not a song for my heart, and
why should I pretend it is so?
Why should I settle for less?

When did a plastic rose become a bouquet?
When did a text message become perfume?

I will not dumb down this heart,
just because it is out of practice;
just because it is on my rolled down sleeve