penny for your thoughts
sixpence for your body
a gold coin for you
to act like you’re mine

desperation claws at my throat
and desire taints my vision
what do i want to say?
what do i want to do?
oh, darling
you should know

(you should know how you tempt me.)

do i have you, my dear?

i have your care (occasionally)
i have your words (usually)
i have your time (sometimes)
but do i have you, my love?
do i have you?

(“don’t be greedy. you musn’t be greedy.”)

i will not grudge you
for being the sun
to my Icarus
for not choosing my
battered heart to reside

for i knew, yet
nonetheless
still
even so
i drank the glass of blood
and tears
and empty wishes
like it was the sweetest mead
just to see you smile
for one
heart-stopping
moment

(it was worth it.)

i will go on in this world
with a half-finished tale
with a slow, quiet heart
with a sense that
home is far away

but if it means
you’re free
and you’re happy
i would endure it
as one endures
a bed of roses

thorns and all
i will smile for you

(even if you smile for someone else.)


 
Inspired by: The More Loving One by W.H. Auden