I Would

I would

I would lay my head upon your heart and listen to your innermost thoughts,

     rub my beard against the flush of your face

     and kiss your cheekbones one at a time,

          two, three, four more

     until I found the softness of your mouth.


I would quiet your already still soul with my tongue

     drink down your smell, taste your venom
    
     and then surrender to your power
         
          in a show of my own.

               I would.


Then again --- maybe I would not.

     For fantasy alone fuels the fire of my desire

     and makes sin burn bright with holiness.

          For should is stronger than would,

          and even if you beckon

               I won't.


          But I want,

          so I would.


--- Darrell Arnold