Je Suis Ta Severine!

The heat of my shower – not quite at scalding-point –
The water crackling off my skin in angry bursts,
The shock that leaves me breathless, open-eyed.
The towel that looks so soft, but its dryness
Roughens me past bearing, leaves my nipples zinging!
The cool draught from the open bathroom door – I shiver!

The chastising that leaves no single, outward mark,
Where anyone can see, but smarts in secret!
The upraised finger, the frank, commanding look
That checks my over-eagerness to come running.
The threshold of pain that balances in beauty
Upon the finest knife-edges of pleasure!

The “nearly” before floods of tears, the “almost” of a sigh,
The moment just before my ecstasy, quivering.
And yes, the blessed silken rope that binds my wrists
And drags me to my knees, to touch the floor
With forehead, bowed in absolute obedience to say:
“May you live for one hundred thousand years!”

The brilliant darkness, shot with a million livid stars.
The face I have no right to look upon except in dreams.
The night of terror and of sweet, exotic sorcery,
Of incense, fire, of dancing ritual, insane!
My utter Empress – say but the word, and end my life –
You, and ever only you, my Mistress. Oh! Divine!