STAN ROGAL

The Captive Heart


her body is not so remote a thing
contented with such random consolations 
exquisite in the pulse of tainted blood
		who didn’t know whose lips to kiss 
		so kissed them all

under revolted skies
the needle ran demented through the points
blear eyes fallen from blue
	(it’s so elegant, so intelligent)

I am the bright temptation in talk, in wine, 
in sleep : see, see, as from a lathe, 
		my polished body turning!
my stutter, my cough, my unfinished 
sentences, I…
(lies, all lies)
caught up in the strictest rough&tumble 
slip the knot, dear, unloose the lip 
then — with a tongue — gentle, 
gently, yes, remove the tape…