VERBIAGE IS THE ENEMY OF THE VENEREAL

I would call you an angel, were you not so gendered.
were the wings on you and not on my heart.

I would call you my baby, were you not my elder.
Were you that self-involved, and far more soft.

I would call you my sweet, were I green to your taste.
Were you not a full range, and all flavours divine.

I would call you no name, were that not quite so awkward.
Were we speakers in mind, and alone in the world.

I would call forth more nouns, were they not so exhausted.
Were I not wanting verbs that exhaust with delight.

I would call you much more, were you not drawing nearer.
Were you not on my mouth and stopping this flow.

1997

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