Erotica/Lord of All

by Arthur Clark Kennedy

Lord of All

To love and be beloved,
To snatch ripe kisses from red lips of youth
Is of a truth
Earth's utmost blessing, this even I have proved.

To kiss and clasp fresh charms
In eager arms,
To wring Love's moisture from the inmost core
Of a deep heart and hunger still for more,
Is to be lord of Love.

Sweetheart, when thou and I,
In very ecstasy,
Transfuse our souls in death,
Each panting amorous breath
But wafts us to the sky.

The goal of our desire
We reach with brain on fire,
But reach it to expire.

Alas, how low the fall
When passions duller burn;
Then Life begins to spurn
Love that will not return;
And Death is lord of all.