merged

though men be Greek, of ocean eyes
a dashing prince, a brave new knight
of lands and lords, of halted words
of vein-coiled arms, and lustful swords
though men be vain, of polish shoes
a head’s pomade, and midnight truce
of nude delight and dusty crowns
of fools’ device, to his renown

few can claim this fellow’s heart
of thorns and torn, strong of songs
few can pierce the mellow parts
of boy and girl, in one belong

where once before, now nothing more

his gaze
had drifted from the place
where it used
to stand by
patiently waiting
for the slightest shifting
of skin

his kiss
had slipped from home
where it once
held court
to love’s injustice
from the smallest burning
of skin

his ways
had changed from the days
when it still
could hurt
coldly splaying
for the roughest touch
of him