To David





Less than two years

since we parted,

yet already your memory

fades like tawdry lace

and I wonder if we were real

or just some made-for-tv-movie

I saw in reruns

late one night.







Untitled





"I love you"

"I love you"

"I love you"

Your words pound my ears

A monotonous

rainfall of empty sentiment

    that leaves my

  parched heart

	 unsatisfied.







Currency of Exchange



For Stuart



Buy and sell--

That's what we do.

And I work very hard to earn

your affection.

Humiliate myself for your attention.

Prostrate myself for your approval.

Sell myself for the

spare change of your love.











Untitled



I failed your test

devised to expose my humanity,

my vulnerability,

my fears.

And, even though I humbly

offer up my heart and soul and body

on the altar of your need,

you sacrifice me to

past pain and old mistrust.







Paean to Artemis*

1978

(Mary J)



Artemis,

Selene,

Diane. . .

As many aspects

as your many names

you walk the velvet skies 

of my dreams.

Bright Moonchild,

lend your rays

to light the darkness

of my loneliness;

Sweet Woman,

reach out your arms 

in understanding

of my desire;

Dear Lady,

be my love.



* Published in Imbolc edition of Earth Spirt Star in (I think) 1994