---

reality is my sole escape,
used to veil steamy sweat-soaked dreams;
nothing treads along my path
that's not an end without a means.

unbridled desire alights within,
as passion's fever breathes its rasp;
without -- only blush appears on skin,
as senses lose their feeble grasp.

shadow's cloak hides telling eyes,
while each mouth thirsts as it must;
thoughts evade the reasoned mind,
rushing like gale's fiercest gust.

besieged by starkest rebel thoughts,
in that gray, not right nor wrong;
unfulfilled, and longing now,
aching to complete love's song.

taunted and tormented minds
have needs that soon forbid themselves;
on hollow ground of mercy's cry,
beneath which fearless self now delves.

common sense now dead and blind,
fire surrounds our helpless souls;
searching through the haze, we find
ourselves entwined in destined roles;

our bodies writhe in deep desire
as spirits rise beyond the grave;
our pulses pound forever higher,
reaching for that thing we crave.

we now abandon all our fears,
drunk in spirit's sweet heady gin;
and as we soar, we gain release
until, with heat, we seethe again;

and in this place where two hearts meet,
our lesson's written there to learn;
we've felt the touch of pleasure's pain,
for which we will forever yearn.

Copyright Jeff Mason 2004