by Kevin T. McEneaney
When Augustine confessed a thousand loves
and announced his celibacy for life,
he became Huge Father of Repression,
Upright Poster Boy for masturbation.
When Abelard was seized and castrated
in bed just before his dawn erection,
Heloise became Love’s Secular Saint,
not only in France but around the globe.
When Shakespeare staged Romeo and Juliet,
he became the Wanton Wit of England.
Flaubert became the Cynic of Love.
Oscar Wilde became Love’s Great Martyr.
Bulgakov restored the Magic of Love.
Covid became the Dracula of Love.
