Eastern Promises Not Fulfilled Poem by Paul Brookes

Strike out your ambidextrous heart,
saying yes is betrayal.
baleful red eyed moon rises,
slowly to become her pure self
white gowned in splendour cold.

would you, no there is the treachery
in your forget-me-not orbs.
slipping on wet stones
to sharpen your wit on whet stones.
the church bell tolls ten.

oh my bloody friend scaping on goats,
a sacrifice to the Muse.

wither away, turgid stream flows,
reflecting pale moon's pagan beauty
clothed in sensual white.
feasting on star dust, whispering her serenity.
no one knows, no one cares.

green tiled roof oriental smooth,
embracing lost pagoda dreams.
dragons breath spits fire.

imbibing rice wine poets of a greater age
crying in his bacchanal cups
drowning in sorrow thick and rich.

the river flows fast, tremulous
she sings her song of freedom
but she is forever solitary.

so, I think, are you and I.