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Crowded

I am afraid
of people.

Not of their violence or their vice,
nor their grime or their lice.

I couldn’t care about their looks
or weapons or dirty books.

It’s not their booming, brazen pride
that makes me want to run and hide.

Or their religiosity
that raises the bar for crazy.

I’m afraid I’ll lose myself
and forget the way out.

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My lady Luna

Thank you, my dear,
for so many things.

For brightening the night
and lighting our way
even if you sometimes
like to wander away.

For your fickle tug
upon the salty deep
that rouses all the rolling waves
that oft sing me to sleep.

For all the inspiration
to all those songs and art
which eased my weary mind
and soothed my wounded heart.

For the silver shimmer
that lights our lover’s skin
adding a touch of grace
to quite the night of sin.

For all these things and more
you, dear Luna, I adore.

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Labours

What does it take
to be a hero?

Kill the lion and the snake
and wrestle with the deer
and take with you the spoils
to flout your lack of fear.

Bring back the boar alive,
clean the stables in a day,
and shoot down all the birds
’cause they’re getting in the way.

Bring back a bull this time
and some horses too.
And the girdle of the queen
after you make her fall for you.

Next the cattle of the sun
and the golden girls’ fruit.
Last the guard dog of the Underworld,
blacker than the devil’s soot.

Only to finally lose your life
to poison from your gullible wife.

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Choices

The moment I saw you
I could not decide…

…if I wanted to seduce you
and spend the night moving to music,
swaying to song, and swilling swagger
for the custom of the courtship.

…if I wanted to buy you a drink,
whisper sweet nothings in your ear,
and flirt with you all evening
beneath intimate bar lights.

…if I wanted to tell you
all the things you made me feel,
hoping that my honesty
might move you to tears.

…if I wanted to tell you
all the things I wanted to do to you
and wait with a knowing grin
for your blooming blush.

…so I walked up, offered my hand,
and told you my name.

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The vigil

I’ve been waiting
so very, very long.

I’ve waited in theaters
lamenting lime-lit lovers
and back-row teenagers making out –
ruining many-a-romance.

I’ve waited in restaurants
with couples crouched in conversation
over shared dishes and desserts
that have spoiled my appetite.

I’ve waited along the street
as I walked towards my destinations
observing dates in the dark
and intertwined fingers.

I’ve waited at home
watching fake people fake love
and offer promises
which I refuse to pay for.

I’ve waited ‘neath sheets,
so cold that they’re quite cruel,
and through nights spent reaching for you
only to find the edge of the bed.

I’ve been waiting for you –
what would you like to do?