Bygone beauty’s
must hue fills
barren kingdom -
Maiden mistress.
Dust mites feast
where paper crumbles -
Tumbles from walls
split to core.
Damp rot bores
greys and greens
gold of moulds -
Paintwork peels
bare patches reveal
blistered brick eruptions –
stark naked walls
fissured and veined.
Cover up this
cracked whore -
Forgotten folly-
Rotting slowly.
I spent a long time browsing
before settling on you -
Full bodied red,
Ripened berry flavours,
Acids mellowed
oak matured,
Enough sweetness
dulls bitter aftertastes.
When I open you,
Swirl around my glass
Eagle-eyed for imperfection -
Will you still look the same?
When I sink my nose
into your clothes -
Will you deliver
rich aromas?
When I open my mouth for you,
Long legs stretching down throat,
Tannin nipping gums
curling underneath teeth -
Will your taste
tease my palate?
I will not hide you
in a darkened cellar,
Impress guests
with my Sunday best,
But revel in you
on my brightest day,
And treasure you most
in my darkest hour.
