Falling

(The futility of falling in love).

Of happiness, but does he ask
the venerable, winking Hotei why?
With a smile, though some would say a cynics grin,
laughter leaches from his mouth unbidden,
wrapped in the paper-thin sarcasm of an unwanted gift.
He dances to the merry tune,
but heavy feet may be his downfall yet
as songs of emerging love and longing
start sweet and low
then finish in a hale and hearty lust.
So happiness is indeed within him,
he feels her warmth
wrapped tightly to his chest
caressed, as with the hangman’s noose
he swiftly falls
through the waiting, gaping trap of love.

© Graham Sherwood 12/2011