Twilight heat. Watching glowworms with no one

to share. I stand naked in the bathroom

and stare at my odd flesh. Scars mark ruin.

In bed I shuffle cards. Lewd heat. Lewd gloom.

I draw King of Wands while the night rooster

crows three times. Valraven reborn in fire.

Consort of the Triple Goddess; lover

without stain. Whose Cock-of-the-flock’s desire

do you think of when manhood rears its head?

None says mine, which is fine; rarely do I,

either. I’m the most unchaste celibate

I’ve known. I prayed that one of the lewd dead

would love me, but no. My toe-curling high

delights none, like summer heat without smut.

][][

Notes:

In Danish folklore, Valraven (“raven of the slain”) would eat the hearts of warriors slain in battle. As a metaphor for masculinity, it is a peaceless soul, restless, only able to calm its terrible hunger through the flesh of another. The King of Wands is a fire symbol, hard to control, attractive and dangerous.