A rarest name, and beautiful,

But incongruous when spoken

By soldiers with a gentle touch

That see hardened hearts awoken.

A moment’s passage did transform

She and steel to be seductive:

Allowed command of warmest ways,

And to feelings … most conductive.

And though we’ve parted by design,

And though some secrets be most fleet.

What then we shared with foreign hands,

Is ever ours until we meet.

© 2022 CJames, All Rights Reserved

How softly warm, Venetian tease:

A Siren’s call from ’cross the sea.

Infused here with my Cuban breeze,

Recalls my youth and calls to me.

Enthralled by beauty and by charm,

I bask in light that finds my light.

And ink from pen in hand from arm,

Bull-charges hard and stirs the fight.

Should now I simply stand content,

And step in front of lit desire?

Pour out what surely will ferment,

And douse this spreading wildfire?

It’s not a missing valise found,

But I around her finger wound…

© 2021 CJames, All Rights Reserved