In the old days,
we were up all night
satisfying our needs
with each other, or
with reckless strangers

Our mouths were made
for indulging in supple necks,
ripened to perfection;
veins filled with ecstasy

His blood is cool now;
mine, colder still
; chilled as ice
What once burned like wildfire
has lost all vestiges of heat

So long ago,
centuries, surely

Back when our blood was still warm
when we embraced sunrises,
and each other

with thanks to etouffee