Les amoreaux aux poireaux.

for Gill

A spray of jonquils signals his intention,
almost romantic, though hardly innocent;
they say "I love you", never do they mention
"I want you now" was what he really meant.

Ostensibly an image of seduction,
his bag of leeks turns passion into pathos;
his ardour undermined in de-construction,
his coy desire collapses into bathos.

And those of us beyond love's futile flush,
perceive a simple truth; Cupid's alluring
violence may deify a teenage crush,
but nameless household gods sustain enduring

Love; so let this casual Parisian kiss
be dedicated to domestic bliss.

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