Betrayed

Betrayed by this Poe heart

Telling tales, telling truths, just to save its

Tortured

Wretched self…

From me

The best work alone, you see,

And certainly never with another of the same ilk

Not with one who promises intimate knowledge of the intended

Whose familiarity, whose sameness, will make it all seem so effortless

So still

So breathless

Betrayed

Betrayed by this town crier of a heart

Whose emotional edicts and evocations threaten to awake

The only one sleeping in this tiny village

This little room of restless, desperate yearning

The best work alone, you see,

And certainly never with one who feigns innocence

Feigns modesty, smiles coyly

Then fails to admonish the night                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Or resist the clouds as they undress her,

Her full, naked glow revealing my presence

And the exceptional scene before me  

Betrayed

The heart never works alone, you see

It conspires with the eyes

Wet and helpless to look away

Conspires with the fingers,

Fingers now tracing her brow

(so gently as almost  not to touch)

And finally,

Conspires with the mouth

Whose lips will order the eyes closed,

Command the fingers still

And then tenderly,

Longingly

Lovingly

Kiss her angelically beautiful face

As she sleeps