Dancing Naked in a Haunted House

I found this couplet scribbled down somewhere
And can readily see why I tossed it
Aside but regret I never lost it
Completely as I snatch it from the air
This Santa Ana windy Sunday night
Perhaps a closer look might shed some light:

"Most loyal lover most fanatic foe
I will follow you wherever you go"

...Unless I suddenly lose interest
And turn inward which would probably be
Among the possibilities the best
Although anyone can telephone me
And many do as you are welcome to

While some walk by my haunted house to see
Some proof of my existence just to know
If there is really such a thing as Lance
I am clearly visible through the lace
Of the curtain and am rather certain
If they are lucky they might see me dance
Naked with a cryptic smile on my face

A lover to none yet courtly to all
And quite completely contradictory
White sheep of a very dark family
A harmless eccentric gentle and small
I only care about my poetry

But yes: I am a most fanatic foe
Having been raised that way what can I say
I tried the lover thing but I got burned
A foe is much more loyal I have learned
But no: any talk of "lover" and "foe"
Is moot now (if you knew me you would know)
I will turn inward and let it all go

Nonetheless... I might still answer if you call
Or dance if you walk by my house... after all

+Steven Curtis Lance



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