Repentance

Though both my knees be sore and scabbed
With kneeling for confession
My brain’s no more corrupt and crabbed
With devil-dark possession
Love’s noose, you see, did capture me
In insincere suspension
With skimming looks at dusty books
Which of true love made mention
A fading aura of desire
Now seems to fast surround me
The probing files of female wiles
In daemon bonds have bound me
“Some sulfate take, to ease this ache”
My doctor now advises
But I would sooner be concealed
Within the tomb, which rises
Like earth-born bride: my softer side
Would fain become her lover
Corroding bandages which fall
And rotting flesh discover
Should I become a jester now
Turn cartwheels, deft, for pleasure?
Such revelry may shortly be
A substitute for leisure
Too much unto congenial side
In loving life, I’ve catered
Alluring messages arrived
While in the court I capered
Flirtatiously, I’ve tried to be
The playful fool and comic
Dismissal now, I do avow
My love is pure, platonic
And glossy captions now are placed
Within the book of living
Where paramount emotions last
Of  caring, helping, giving
Oh jeweller, make for me a crown
And polishing, and grinding
Of diamonds true, may make me new
Like babe new-born, and finding
Within this fresh-forged heart of mine
Such flutt’ring palpitations
While citrus rains erase the stains
And leave a life of patience
Improbable though this may seem
My reverence will require it
And canopied emotions once
Close-hidden, will desire it