Francis Bennion - Poetry - Poemotions

The poems in this group are about the love we all know, the respectable love which is most comfortable, the established love - which Nature obviously intended. Many think it a very great pity, that sort of love having been productive of much human happiness, that this neat coherent sensible idea was ever interfered with. It reflects the way our bodies are built, so many say let's celebrate it - and stick with it.

Heterosexual love is a large subject, from beginning to end. So this group needs six different sections to deal with it, covering courtship, reality, doubt, dismissal, severance, and aftermath.

Courtship I love the thoughts that work the signals in your face. Can you stand the truth? Look no further for a heart and mind.

Reality Her kisses are for me too much, but may she be cherished - along with the pulse that darkens scarlet skies. We too under the stars have stood; now I think of the lonely ones. If I can turn you on, I'll follow quickly. But what if there's a lady's invincible repugnance? Or what if, in the end, we are wedlocked?

Doubt An uncouth youth took away the truth. Mute now, my airy flute. I'll walk my chicken on Two Girl Hill. All down the centuries, men are the same.

Dismissal Oh no, you said, it could not be. Memories have life, but now you invalidate them all. Can you remember every kiss, or grow the memories pale and dim? All of me is images of you, assembled in memory. Pity O pity me, dining alone.

Severance Dick married for life a fair-weather wife, then the weather broke. I wish her well, and a long time in Hell.

Aftermath Come live my love, and be with me spectator of life's agony. I found it difficult being a husband, but for a man it is difficult not being a husband.

Start of page 160 in the book

Signals

I want your body
yet I also love your mind

Especially I love
the thoughts that work the signals in your face

Beseeching me
make haste and come to you

Start of page 161 in the book

Can You Stand the Truth?

Shall I be direct
or devious?

Shall I cut through
and say what I know to be true
or be devious?

Would you really prefer me to say
in the usual roundabout way
the usual slick things
and as usual be devious?

Only one answer is brave,
and only the brave is true -
so I know very well that you
now wish me to be direct and not, as so often,
devious

Here and now
directly I say,
without shyness or lies,
that our lives, separate lives,
must be one

Where, and O why, have you gone?

Start of page 162 in the book

Proposal

You want a voice
to lull you to love
soothe away your fears
ease your aching heart
take mine

You seek a look
to see you as you are
open through your eyes
the passage to your self
take mine

You need the touch
of sympathetic hands
to pass the surging charge
link you to the grid
take mine

Mine are going free
searching for the same
have been all along
know they've found their end
take them

Look no further for a heart and mind
take mine

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