La Rossa
Lacking sleep and food and visionHere I am again, encamped upon your floor,Craving sanctuary and nourishment,Encouragement and sanctity and more.The streets seemed very crowded,I put on my bravest guiseI know you know that I am acting,I can see it in your eyes.In the harsh light of freedom I knowThat I cannot deny that I have wasted time,Have frittered it away in idle boastsOf my freedom and fidelity,When simpler words would have profited meMostIt isn't enough in the end, when I'm lookingFor hope.Though the organ-monkey screamsAs the pipes begin to spitStill he'll go through the dance routinesJust as long as he thinks they'll fit,Just as long as he knows that it's dance, smile-Or quit.
Like the monkey I dance to a strange tuneWhen all of these years I've longed to lie with you,I've bogged myself down in the web of talk,Quack philosophy and sophistryAt physicality I've always balked,Like the man in the chair who believes it'sBeyond him to walk.I've been hiding behind words,Fearing a deeper flame exists,Faintly aware of the passageOf opportunities I have missed.But the nearness and the smell of you,La Rossa from head to toeI don't know what I'm telling you,But I think you ought to knowSoon the dam wall will break, soon the waterWill flow.Though the organ-monkey groansAs the organ-grinder playsHe's hoping, at the most,For an end to his dancing days;Still he hops up and down on his perchIn the usual jerky way.Though it might mean an end to all friendshipThere's something I'm working up to say.
Think of me what you will;I know that you think you feel my painNo matter if that's just the surface.If we made love now would that change allThat ahs gone before?Of course it would, there's no way it could everBe the sameOne more line crossed,One more mystery explained.Now I need more than just words, thoughThe options are plain that lead from allMomentary action.If we make love now it will change allThat is yet to beNever could we agree in the same way again.One more world lost,One more heaven gained.
La Rossa, you know me, you read me as thoughI am glass;Though I know it there's no no way in which I canPassThough it means that you'll finish my storyAt last I'd trade all the clever talk,The joking, the smoking and the quips,All the midnight conversations, all the friendship,All the words and all the tripsFor the warmth of your body,The more vivid touch of your lips.All bridges burning behind me,All safety beyond reach,The monkey feels his chains out blindly,Only to find himself released.
Take me, take me now and hold me deepInside your ocean body,Wash me as some flotsam to the shore,There leave me lying evermore!Drown me, drown me now and hold me downBefore your naked hunger,Burn me at the altar of the night-Give me life!