Sacred and Profane Love

or There's Nothing New Under the Moon, Either

Grady McMurtry

When bored by the drone of the wedlocked pair

When bromides of marriage have started to wear,

Contemplate those of the crimson affair:

"I had to see you," &, "Tonight belongs to us!"

Skewered on bliss of a dubious sort

Are all individuals moved to consort

With creatures inspiring this hackneyed retort:

"I can't fight you any longer."

Some with such wheezes have gone to the dead,

Unwitting that Liebestod lurked up ahead.

That pistols would perforate them as they said:

"This thing is bigger than both of us."

Experimentation in matters of sin

Pales on the instant it's destined to win;

Paramours end as conformers begin:

"I don't want just this—I want you."

Explorers are highly unlikely to hear

Novelties murmured into their ear;

Checkered with such is the checkered career:

"It's not you I'm afraid of, it's myself."

Such liturgies standardize lovers in league

That someone will cry in the midst of intrigue

(And someone will hear in the midst of fatigue):

"You don't want me - you just want sex!"

Strait is the gate and narrow the way

Closing at last on the ranging roue´ ;

Who plucks a primrose plants a cliche´ :

"We're married - in the eyes of Heaven."

The dangerous life is so swiftly prosaic

You might as well marry and live in Passaic;

It ends and begins in established mosaic:

"For God's sake be careful, or someone will hear you!"

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