“I’m in love”
She declared,
And stepped back a yard
or so
To survey the impact.

“It’s the first time I ever liked anyone –
Ohofcourse I’ve liked a lot of people but ….”
“It’s the first time you really liked someone?” I suggested.
She smiled assent.

Come you then now,
All who really liked
And called it love,
All who came to this place
With intentions to deceive
By silence,
By violence,
By groans against a night,
Stealing precious light
And casting it to darkness:

Beyond the circle of fire
The glowing eyes can wait,
Too soon dies the pyre,
The flesh devoured by hate.

[1970]