Sometimes I wonder
If we are merely the gentle humor of an ambivalent deity
Brought close to touching
Fingertip to fingertip to swift blush of skin and lowering of eyes
Closer still, flesh to flesh, the ecstasy of mere mortals.
The gods watch in envy
As we unite and divide seamlessly, effortlessly,
Until in agony we part
The sting of loss produced by relentless love and unrequited jealousy
Ah, the gods, they laugh
They mock our subtle misfortune and our return to animal longings
Where has my love gone, the one who dusts my lips with soft kisses
And coaxes forth the deep, anguish of one who loves and feels and breathes, yet lives
For but a fleeting hour.
Will I miss you when you are gone
When I am no longer lulled to sleep by the sweet masculine strength of your body beside mine
When the sun no longer glows brilliant and crystal
When I run from corner to corner seeking your form in the glistening shadows
Will my breath continue
When my life ceases to dwell in me
Where has my love gone, the marble-limbed demigod who blessed me with his caresses
And coaxed my flowers to magnificent bloom.
The gods, they laugh
At my sleepless nights in cold, empty bedroom filled with shadows of warm shallow breathing
Of the innocent who sleep knowing the world is not safe
But can be shut out for the night
They scorn my pleas, my bargains to give up my soul
What need have gods for souls.
The devil, he needs souls.
I love the deep gash where you have been torn from me, from that part I carved out just to hold you
We were not given time to grey, to wrinkle, to forget each other's name
How can I offer to deal with the devil
To damn my soul in exchange for another moment with you
I would, I would but you will not come back unchanged
A thousand breaths have escaped without me
A thousand nights spent learning to sleep alone
I wonder if, perchance, the gods smile at my ache
And wish they felt;
What need have gods for souls.

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