THE LOVER

When I was young

blood-driven and obsessed

by devils bucking in my veins

I burned to be caressed

Old bones & flesh

I'll beat you yet

Scarlet skirts that blazed

like capes before a bull

would make me paw the earth:

I felt so powerful

Now my blood is dust

but still my slower pulse

throbs to the beat of lust

with less results

Old bones & flesh

I'll beat you yet

I may not ever get

the philosophic mind

though winter's ice will set

and ice is blind

When I'm old

bed-ridden & forgiven

by women wrapped in shawls

I'll repent & go to heaven

and when I see God dancing

I'll tell Her like a friend

God the game's worth the candle

but tiring  in the end

Old bones & flesh

I'll beat you yet