The Intellectualization of Lust

A play with the parsing of the lines to affect the reading, this work is mildly experimental in form for a poet given to letting the form play backseat to the word choice. For a poet who has self-published 6 of his 9 books (after reading an article on folk singer Ani DiFranco and a bad experience with a New York publisher he decided he wanted that level of control of his books) he is remarkably short of affectation in form.

The Intellectualization of Lust

place your plastic icons in my path.
I'll laugh.
for they seem so small when scaled
to failed
obstacles of bygone times and foes
just close
that book you're reading from and walk,
we'll talk,
and I will teach you colours without end,
my friend.
colours you should know by this time,
though grime
and crime and passing prime have obscured,
deferred
your learning what is real in this sphere.
don't fear.
there is nothing in the dark to harm you,
charm you,
yes, but you alone hold the killing blade.
afraid?
you should be, for you know what evil
you spill
when the eyes of society are closed to sleep.
so weep
and know that rationale is not true shrift
or gift,
but an evasion and the farthest thing from cowardice,
a kiss.


William F. DeVault. all rights reserved.