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