"Turn Back"

"Turn Back"

You have turned me back--
to a face feverish.
and tearful, with
the coming dawn.
I, who pled invincibility,
who bribed happiness--
for a moment's
dwelling in the
soul.


You have turned me back--
without fingers; with
only your snaking words,
whose venoms crept
along my shield, my spear--
and, lo, they disappear!
I, who swore--
allegiance to
marching
motion.


You have turned me back--
I crawl,
resting, belly-up,
among the mountains'
templars, holy,
victimizing--

Inscribe me with
sonnets to Love!
(proprieter of death)--
and to Lust!
(mother of my dull,
aching head)--
which turns me
back--
You have turned me back!
And I cannot go
on.