Sunless

He says it's beautiful to love'
Handing me a bird.
Leaner than a dove.
Sharp as any word.

He says 'a kiss is heavier
Than the ruby in wine'
And that his faith is steadier
Than the square root of mine.

He says 'a march is futile;
A protest against the self.
I won't dance to any flute,
I won't fellate the crown of wealth.'

He says 'the trees are aerials
Transmitting to the sky,
The clouds are radio stations,
Vapour citadels' - a lie.

He says 'you might believe me.
You might refute my breath,
But in order to deceive me
You would have to cheat death.'

He says so many wondrous things,
Each grabder than the last.
The proffered bird extends his wings.
A stagnant age has passed.

He says to dive beneath his robe
To shelter me from time,
So clutching tight the bird, I dove
In sheets of satin crime.