by the fire

I am known by many names.
Some names. Some sobriquets.
Some epithets of those unaware
of the many moving parts
in the truths they think they know.

In the West I am Hetaeron.
In the East the Amomancer,
the priest of passion. To myself
I answer to no name, for to do so
would bind me to the spirit of it.

In the North I bring the fires,
in the South I quench desires.
In lands far and uncertain,
I am called by whatever badge
that I will find on lovers' lips.

For the moment, I am content
to warm myself here, out of the darkness,
and wait for the songs to return,
burning my feet to walk again on paths
I had not realized until I heard the voice.


William F. DeVault. all rights reserved.