1 PERSON IS ENOUGH TO REMAIN HUMAN Poem by Delphine Lecompte

I want to ask him: ask me to marry you
His head lies in my throbbing region
He can forgive me anything
Ripped books, snipped ties
An ivory alligator in the window of a pawnbroker's.

There's blood sticking to the alligator
But my loved one is pure
Rehabilitated and richer by a medal
He shakes his locks when
I boast about my antics
To handsome young men
Who plot my downfall.

His hair is grey
And his intelligence congealed
After the Congo, the death of his chameleon
I want to say to him: you're a wise old man
But he'd know I was placating him.

He doesn't want to be a wise old ex-colonial
Unmarried he strokes my soles
I look at his shrivelling parts
And try to excuse my vandalism.