On When It Burns (out): Once We Played

Once We Played

Once we played at love together—

Played it smartly, if you please;

Lightly, as a windblown feather,

Did we stake a heart apiece.

Oh, it was delicious fooling!

In the hottest of the game,

Without thought of future cooling,

All too quickly burned Life’s flame.

In this give-and-take of glances,

Kisses sweet as honey dews,

When we played with equal chances,

Did you win, or did I lose?

National Poetry Month #32