Leander and Hero
Perhaps her light has blown out in the wind
That whips these waves. A moonless night and cold.
She gives me strength and soon my love will hold
These aching limbs within her arms. Come, land,
I tire. The taste of salt burns in my throat
And currents, chill, mislead. I swim for love.
Below me, lonely darkness, and above
Black clouds, no stars by which to navigate…
No, Neptune, no, not yet! I will not die,
And if I do it is for her. The swell
Defeats my strength. A voice? I hear you call,
But sound and wind and dreams fade far away…
Alone I sleep tonight as Hero waits,
Our love too soon extinguished by the Fates.
*
We were too young, though he was very sweet,
Two virgins in our teens who could not wait.
He was obsessed by me and passionate -
Could you resist a rugged athlete?
It had to end, so painful at the time,
But we lost touch. I never took his calls,
Preferring older men with faster cars
And more expensive tastes. Is that a crime?
Such was our fate, those were the dice I cast,
But could Leander, even in his prime,
Prevail against the ebbing tide of time
To reach the continent that is the past?
I ache for him, for love, one more embrace,
To taste again the sea-salt on his face.
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Comments: 20
Mike, your poetry always feeds me. I savor every tasty bite.
that poetry marks for later time
you have brought forth
sweet taste of the sublime
Easter Comments
Make your own banner at MyBannerMaker.com!
And a Happy Easter to you.
A joy to read your well written poem, every word.