My lady malady
By Karl Dean Soukup

i plunged into a pool of
peace and penetrated its
ephemeral presence

i kissed Beauty and
killed her

i wandered through
happiness and wondered
why

i swallowed a sprinkle
of serenity and disguised
disease

i tasted temptation on
your tourette tongue and
turned away … teased

i forgave naivete
now, I must learn to celebrate
innocence …