Muse

Seirene

lured here and lost

I hit the craggy rocks

and spill transfixed

into the foaming waters

your pure beguiling beauty

busy in its song

I scan for paths

footprints fade in sodden sand 

return implausible

if ever I have the will

seduced within the foment’s revelry

you hold a bloodied mirror shard

to show a broken man

unkempt, undone

wide eyes milky as dead fish

panting at your ivory feet

*

Perigee

there was always that feeling 

that something might happen

your movements have been gradual

 consistent, your moods like the weather

difficult, capricious and unpredictable

when you shine, oh! there is a radiance 

where clouds are banned and stars 

unnecessary for clear sight

I saw you dance on the solstice

a pagan gypsy temptress swirl

moving ever closer, exerting 

a barely disguised mesmeric draw

youth forever beautiful, pert, daring

my old eyes widen as you settle into view

and there you are, beguiling, naked and ripe

a fleeting feast upon your nubile form.

tomorrow I’ll be older

and you younger still

*

Legerdemain

there’s a subtle difference 

on rare occasions that our eyes meet

I give myself away too easily

lost the skill of camouflage

in this faded jester’s cape

my bag of tricks threadbare

a wrinkled joker card

overused, easily spotted

in a well-thumbed 

dog-eared pack

now I understand

my magic is worthless, 

misdirected by quickening years

*

Chaos and Beauty

I am haunted by

the chaos of youth,

reckless bravery

immersion of first love

a baptism 

suicidal desolation of lost love

faithless wanton purity

immature self-belief,

the devilment of temptation

surety of disappointment

I am haunted by

the beauty of youth

and would return there

in a blink