Erato
by James Matthew Byers
 
When flames of passion seer my soul 
Within their burning embers, 
I find myself without control, 
Unable to remember. 
 
The only thought propelling me 
Within the spell’s design 
Compels a lover openly 
To build his love a shrine. 
 
Erato, shape the words within 
Involving this delight 
To think and dream, become the pen 
Compelling me to write. 
 
Of every Muse, love is your call, 
Desire most sensual, 
So here before your feet, I fall 
In love, perpetual. 
 
Erato, how your eyes seduce, 
Enticing in their gaze. 
My heart and soul at once reduce 
As I crawl through your maze. 
 
Complexity does not denote 
The depth of what I feel, 
Nor are there words that I could quote 
Expressing love’s appeal. 
 
Erato, move my heart again 
While swelling in my brain. 
Your essence sparks apart this man 
While driving me insane. 
 
I long to touch, to feel, to taste 
The presence that you are, 
Eloping, groping you in haste, 
So burned you leave a scar. 
 
Enumerated, blissful kiss 
Upon my spirit’s flame 
Has left me helpless, lost, amiss, 
Bound by Erato’s name. 
 
Her fingers haunt my flesh and bones, 
Her fingers grip me duly, 
See, Erato, it is known 
My love is all yours, truly. 
 
Trust is earned, concerned by what 
You deem as yours alone, 
But never fear, for what you’ve got 
Is my life; that you own. 
 
Carnivorous, the sexual 
Contentment you require 
Has placed me bound, consensual, 
To melt within your fire. 
 
An emblem, golden-red, has turned 
The coolant in my rod 
Unto a fiery- furnace spurned 
By you, sweet gift from God. 
 
No other means than of the Spirit 
Led me thus, ‘tis true. 
Erato, draw me ever near it, 
To the flame of you. 
 
Of poetry, I search the heart, 
Of love I search instead 
The meaning life consumes apart 
From your consuming thread. 
 
Indeed, where words themselves will fail 
To say what dwells inside, 
Emotion sets the poem assail 
Upon the lover’s tide. 
 
Erato, cool and douse the fire 
Burning, turning in 
Until your aura moves me higher 
Than I’ve ever been. 
 
For here and now, an open book, 
My soul is yours to roam. 
Erato, snare me in your hook 
And make my heart your home.  
 
 © 2008 James Matthew Byers
 
James
Matthew Byers is a published author(Grecian
Rune, 2004)
and a father of two. James has been married to his wife, Dorothea, for
seven years. Mr. Byers teaches 8th Grade English at Moody Junior High.
He resides with his family and two cats in Rainbow City. 
Find more by James Matthew Byers in the Author Index. 
Comment on this story in the Aphelion Forum 
Return to Aphelion's Index page. 
					 |