--- Sweet Temptation --–

By John Herlihy

Youthful temptation seems oh so dire,

Lodged in the body the mind to inspire.

How can these feelings seem so fierce,

Like a knife, my tender heart to pierce.

In my mind, a temptation oh so tall,

In the streets, the temptation small.

A little curse here, a white lie there,

A stolen apple the grocer can spare.

But this is oh so different. This is sin.

Why, then, do I wear this lustful grin?

The hungry bee enters a tulip’s smile,

The butterfly displays a graceful style.

A stab of longing, or the pulse of guilt

Mounts into the blood as a form of silt.

My mind black with darkened shadows,

The day mocks in the light of rainbows.

The sweet delights that I endure now,

Destine me to wild torment somehow.

The fulsome cleavage at a ripe breast,

Beckoning me freely to its sinful quest.

A woman on canvas with inviting eyes

To lure me from my better self with lies.

A sweet temptation never felt so good,

Tucked away in my body under a hood.

I give her my soul for her simple smile,

To touch, be touched in return, for a while.

Alas, some temptations seem oh so tall,

Still, this temptation seems oh so small.

- - - - - -

(c) John Herlihy 25 November 2018