T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
From “Discordants”
By Conrad Aiken (1889–1973)(III. From Turns and Movies, 1916) VERMILIONED mouth, tired with many kisses, | |
| Eyes, that have lighted for so many eyes,— | |
| Are you not weary yet with countless lovers, | |
| Desirous now to take even me for prize? | |
| Draw not my glance, nor set my sick heart beating,— | 5 |
| Body so stripped, for all your silks and lace. | |
| Do not reach out pale hands to me, seductive, | |
| Nor slant sly eyes, O subtly smiling face. | |
| For I am drawn to you, like wind I follow, | |
| Like a warm amorous wind … though I desire | 10 |
| Even in dream to keep one face before me, | |
| One face like fire, and holier than fire. * * * * * | |
| I walk beneath these trees, and in this darkness | |
| Muse beyond seas of her from whom I came, | |
| While you, with catlike step, steal close beside me, | 15 |
| Spreading your perfume round me like soft flame. | |
| Ah! should I once stoop face and forehead to you, | |
| Into and through your sweetness, a night like this, | |
| In the lime-blossomed darkness feel your bosom, | |
| Warm and so soft, and find your lips to kiss, | 20 |
| And tear at your strange flesh with crazy fingers, | |
| And drink with mouth gone mad your eyes’ wild wine, | |
| And cleave to you, body with breathless body, | |
| Till bestial were exalted to divine,— | |
| Would I again, O lamia silked and scented, | 25 |
| Out of the slumberous magic of your eyes, | |
| And your narcotic perfume, soft and febrile, | |
| Have the romantic hardihood to rise, | |
| And set my heart across great seas of distance | |
| With love unsullied for her from whom I came?— | 30 |
| With catlike step you steal beside me, past me, | |
| Leaving your perfume round me like soft flame. | |