The boy looks
at me and smiles.
“One night,” he asks,
“may I beguile?”
“You know not
what you ask,” I fret.
“Today’s passion is
tomorrow’s regret.”
His grin pleas,
“No strings you’d leave,
no strife; your tongue for
my pleasure, not grief.”
“Your conscience
shall one day fold -
Heed instruction from
that which you are told…”
Young man
guard your heart
What’s allowed to dwell
could tear you apart.
Young man
guard your mind
What you tolerate
will make you blind.
Young man
guard your thoughts
What’s your meditation
shall mold your wrought.
Young man
guard your desire
What poison you drink
today won’t but expire.
Young man
guard your lips
What a mouth uttereth
brews the venom thee sips.
Young man
guard your soul
What the enemy seeks
he strives to devour.
I look
at him and smile,
"Preserve thyself whole
Shun thy destruction."
J. DeBellis, Sept. ‘09
Mind Wide Open
Lost in translation are the fragments of this beautiful life.
Yes I like the rambling ballad style. I would make the first four and perhap the last stanza a different form to the 'Young Man, guard your...' verses. Something perhaps more lose and seductive so that the middle verses gain strength from the juxtaposition.
ReplyDeleteYes warn the young man with every grace at your command but it will serve no pupose. For he will risk a thousand hells to stir the passions in you flesh.