The Mermaid

Dropping her blouse at the water’s edge
she dives silently beneath its cool and placid embrace.
In the distance, I hear the sound of a car crossing an unkempt wooden bridge
as she climbs sinuously onto the floating dock and calls to me softly–
“Come on,” she pleads. “It will be dark soon. They will be wondering where we are.”
The pungent scent of summer blossoms passionately in the alfalfa
as the waters of my unrestrained indulgence glisten off her sun-kissed skin.
and I wonder how heavy the heart of a sinking sun is
as I wade into the uncharted waters of
Desire.

© Charles Coakley Simpson 2010

The beauty of agony

As your eyes are filled with anticipation -
That you are a fawn caught in the light of your own desire
They flutter like butterflies, and your lips tremble
Red and full, like plums of passion being shaken from their tree
r inhibitions plucked, falling breathlessly
From the height of intimacy’s
-Touch.

© Charles Coakley Simpson 2010

Constancy

May I instill within you–a longing.
A delicate imminence surrounded by the whole of your heart
An insecurity of intimacy, craving for companionship
Would you embrace it as warmly
With thoughts of me.

© Charles Coakley Simpson 2010

Solace

As when I think upon you
That I long for the warmth of your shadow
Where I might close my eyes and cross this river of sleep.
For I seek not an occasion of flesh or a fleeting moment of adore
only the knowledge of when holding you
- I cannot feel the pain.

© Charles Coakley Simpson 2010