Old Man’s Lovesong
 
A love that holds the heavens up
like universal laws,
and burns sight like a buttercup
is a love that overawes.
 
A love that chokes like a thugee scarf
that drops men to their knees,
and is worshipped like a golden calf,
is a love that brings no ease.
 
For love should be the graveyard breeze
that brings an end to all,
when the rattling passions seize
you with a caterwaul.

Nigel Holt

If you have any comments on this poem, Nigel Holt would be pleased to hear them.