Blood & Honey (Revision) Poem by Harlequin Rose

I began by loving women
to the exclusion of men
for, every man I knew
was Judas in the flesh
I grew bitter and foolish
as women always do
but I gained my wits
and chose a direction
and cut my wrists
to realize I am alive
and the blood from my body
I used to water my roses
this was my rebellion.

See, I began by loving women
passion took the forefront
never choose discretion over valor
I used my words
to lure her in
and I would touch her
like the world was ending
I loved her
but I grew bitter and hateful
and claimed weakness as my secret strength
and I let her go
despite my mother's lesson.

Yes, I began by loving women
and then a man stole my heart
a gentleman in dove-grey pinstripes
and French cuffs
a prince of Palestine
with a love for Sicily
his hat
his coat
his trousers
curled up at the bottom off my bed
we made love by moonlight
he loved me, this I know
but I am not an easy woman to love
and so he let go...

I began by loving woman
exchanging blood for honey
the bitter taste in my mouth
began to wear on my patience
and so there is milk under this poem
and fresh linen
lay with me
beloved
look into my eyes
she said 'love is here and now
and only love can change the future'
I looked at her and I knew
love can do everything but that...