The Collected Poetry

Babylon

Babylon

Do not worry about your pleasure, dear prince, as I

know full well your intentions. Do be careful, Godling,

For well you know the moon has unfolded, and like me,

It causes much temptation of the mind and body.

Beware! She calls out to you to do wanton things,

And you would suffer, dearest hero, should you find yourself,

led from the well paved high road to the shallow dirt path.

Many are on the prowl tonight, many who would take

Seduce, subvert, warp you, and violate me through you.

My ruin then is yours, debauch carefully, my sweet.

If you should leave your rich and luxurious palace,

Watch yourself, I should nearly kill myself of sorrow

if it were found that you had gone against my firm will.

Stay, then, and another great thing will occur for you.

I will bring out the dancing girls, none can, of course, vie,

With the glorious goddess lady that is I! No!

Full well you know my own body is beyond compare,

Ishtar, Nintu, Tiamat, all look below them and

gnash their teeth, and wail, and rend their garments to shreds. For

So long as I inhabit the terrestrial realm,

something is more gorgeous than the mothers of the earth.

True, She of Ninnevah has skin like fairest pearl,

But mine is so and softer, rounder, warmer than she,

Who claims goddess hood. Try, and discover for yourself,

Is there one body in your kingdom as sensual

Voluptuous, amorous, or erotic as I?

Out in the darkened alleyways, they wait, who will serve

You in ways I do, yet not as well, but stranger so

I cannot deny an allure exists. What is this?

She lays prostrate, nude, un- changed by man since she was born.

Black curtainous hair hides her large, sweet, pure, frightened eyes,

Her young flesh is unflawed, absolutely, desirous.

Who will take this slave girl? Who will take this slave girl? Now

I feel true fear. Send her immediately away,

To some minion of yours to have; he will enjoy it.

But let me never see you and it again, I sense

Already a sort of growing lust in you, before

confined alone to my bed. Never shall I allow

This harlot to steal my own affection from my prince!

The child looks up at me. How dares this insolence!

Her skin is the fairest of fair, softer than down, I hate

with every fiber of my perfect being this thing!

But would you do me wrong, noble lord? All I entreat

Of you is simple, either kill this virgin by fire

A righteous sacrifice to the hungry gods! Or else

Send her leagues and leagues from you. Otherwise you

Forswear my company and pleasure for all of time.

She stands! Bashful and innocent! I despise the more

Her hips cannot truly have such curve! Look at me

a lover who pleased you these many years, the greatest

Will this unskilled vermin really the joy that

I alone can always give? Make your choice, O my lord!

She goes away, sobbing, begging, rapidly sways hypnotic

Avert your gaze, O prince, lest she tempts you one more time.

And soon the blood of my rival will be spilt again,

A dangerous life, it is, being married to such

An attractive man as you! But I know I am good

Yet never finished, with my hard work in Babylon.