You Ask for Poems
You ask for poems from a poet, a sinner,
who longs to grasp what desire’s about,
who, trying to understand a woman’s soul,
volunteers gladly for torment and doubt.
You ask for poems from a poet, a jester,
who strips the secrets of life to the bone,
who dresses love up in flowers so tender,
yet spices it all with passions unknown.
You ask for poems from a poet, a dreamer,
who lost his way in the times that we know,
who drifts through the sky in wandering visions,
and doesn’t know what for you he could show.
I’ll write you a satire, my beautiful lady;
it likely will end in anger, not grace.
I’ll write you an erotic poem, my darling —
your husband will show you a red card in place.