I.

It was a solemn and idyllic night –

A blissful bathing of the green moonlight 

   Trickling through leaves that fluttered like applause 

Illumined the Arcadian delight.

Wending my way throughout that midnight hour

I came upon a solitary bower

   Whose cozy secrecy exuded sweet

Effusive promises of carnal power.

And there, two spirits who on earth had been

Lovers entwined, clothed only in their skin

   Embraced in passion and serenity 

Indifferent to both innocence and sin.

They stirred, ascending from their vernal bed.

One clasped the other’s hand and gently led

   Them both into the moonglow’s revelation;

They seemed to glitter each from foot to head.

Taking no notice of myself, they paced

Away in eagerness (but without haste)

   From covert to deliberate, and moved

In shameless confidence that yet was chaste.

They walked around a rock to climb a stair

Invisible, and vanished in the air

   (Not suddenly, but by some slow degrees)

Depriving that fair setting of their fair.

I doubted their ascent was sensual –

Suspected that they gained the nuptial –

   Precipitate affection turned to vows,

Transporting flesh into the spiritual.

A whisper said, as if a spoken chime,

“What’s done in gentle darkness is no crime,

   But do no harm.” – ‘Twas struggle to dispute 

Such a precept so simple and sublime.

But conscience gnawed, as if a hungry worm:

“Though hurt is vacant in the shorter term

   It cankers in the marathon of years

And enervates the soul that once was firm.

“Not every romance is to each on par;

Some burn like matches, others like a star;

   Some barren rocks may seem, but gold contain;

Some deserts are that look a reservoir.”

I wished the spirits all of Joy’s decanting,

All blessing in both quietude and panting.

   But still, for prudence’s sake, resolved to practice 

Some caution when beholding what’s enchanting.

II.

  There was a poor, conflicted youth whose luck

With women was appalling and pathetic;

  And one sad day, the reckless notion struck

The lad that he pursue the life ascetic.

  He sprinted into seminary, hoping

To find his life’s calling and some relief.

  But taking holy orders ain’t for coping:

His quest for therapy begat more grief.

  After the years and tears of this boy’s gloom

God cast him out into the laity –

  “Foolish man! Your collar would be your doom,”

He cried. “I sentence you to liberty!

    Unchain ambition and your inner strife,

  Resolve to quest the earth and live your life!

                Then later, find a wife;

  Be each the other’s rock in constancy,

    And let your love engender family.”