A 2006 meander about whether the poet was ready to enter into a new relationship after the dissolution of his marriage to his second wife, Ann (Leopard). Often quoted it is the line "I will take no pretender again to my bed", which the poet has stated he has used as a yardstick since the writing of the poem in evaluating new relationships. Is part of the lyrics of the Wordslinger composition on the CD The Last Romantic Verb.
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Perhaps it is the season
to place my faith, again,
in the joy and the passion
of a woman's deep heart.
To offer up my honor,
my hunger and my heart
to the fates, for my part,
as a sacrifice to their whims.
I have not lost a step
on this road of dark corners
where whispers are murders
and rewards are quite rare.
But I can't see my failing
to see this through till mourning
replaces a voice warning
of the shadows that linger.
In the moments she ponders
there's a bittersweet venom
on the kiss of a woman
to the light or the dark.
On the lips of an angel
I have tasted redemption
and sad desecration
when she ponders too long.
Or when choosing unwisely
not knowing or caring,
her shallows breed suffering
and the currents then fail.
I cannot stand for her
if she doesn't come bearing
or at least shout a warning
when the demons abound.
On the black brick'd road
on which I will yet wander,
I will, in truth, wonder
what is under my tread.
I shall seek a soft solace
but not a surrender
I will take no pretender
again to my bed.
I will drink my new wine
in the memory of lovers,
each angels who hovers
will light a new light.
Be she destiny, incarnate,
or yet another missed moment,
I shall keep to this torment
undefeated, through the night.
William F. DeVault. all rights reserved.