even as he sleeps

physical joy is denied

turned away

all flesh exposed

only dreams to caress

to remain rooted to his nighttime song

then to fly away without any residue of warmth

and in sleep he must dance alone

no one resting beside him

this way has been chosen

to embrace those chimeras like a toreador

kissing the muse of his imagination

for any fires must burn elsewhere

until the final flames

exhaust his soul

for death is the most deliberate dying of all

gulping down the heart’s blood

to glean what was life’s magic

only then is he left to strangle his power

with his own two hands

grasping any remaining resolve to not lose his will

exhorting any remaining struggle to fill the void

forged in place of Eros

6/21/80

Bisbee