My heart is on a platter
in this large expanse
of banquet hall
strewn, festooned
with banners
on the time-stained,
whitewashed walls

My heart is on a platter
****** beats so red
contrasting the
bright-white tablecloth
so elegantly spread

It sits and claims its place
as its pulses
fill up the room
and the cutlery shakes,
reverberates
from its understated swoon

Napkins folded so neatly
Best china laid out fine
it oozes through the arteries
in crystal glasses
meant for wine

One wonders, as one gazes
upon the forks and spoons
                              and knives
laid out in rows
so properly…
Just when will they arrive?
And when they do,
those honored guests
will they be shocked to see
this beating, pulsating mass
that pumps out feeling
in endless, reaching streams

Like a delicately-cooked
animal, exposed
             with flesh so raw
this ***** keeps on throbbing
whetting saliva in the jaw
No apple stuffed in mouth
no need for garnish
or temptation
the heat's already there
even in this subtle
                 transformation
It's so slight,
the change
             perhaps obvious
a bit bizarre
but despite themselves
my eyes are drawn,
in wonder,
            to the stars

My heart is on a platter
almost cut in slices
                   paper-thin
now all that's left to do
is check
          where one of us
ends and one begins
Just take a slice
place it on your tongue
and let it melt within
Let it enter softly
your bloodstream
let it boil, let it soothe
no one can be one's
everything
but the soul's
                frequencies
might groove

My heart was on a platter
in this banquet of desire
but, to everyone's amazement
it has turned
to flames of fire
it billows up to the ceiling
sizzles like a steak
     and even though
I am reeling
I hold my ground,
                 won't break


See, I don't care what
they think
those diners
with wagging tongues
and fetid minds
   I grab your hand and we run
to the coolness of the pines
Looking back, we see
heartsmoke rising up
into the sky
in the colors
        of the northern lights
blinking in beats
like an ancient, mystic eye


And as you place your hand
upon my chest
where this heart
was once submerged
I so do not give
        one flying ****
when dinner
will be served