August 12, 2004

Temptation

it's not ended when you have said

"No!"

but lies in wait for your pride

the self-congratulatory smile

that says

"I've done it!"

the sense of elation

that comes

from being tempted

the lingering wonders

that rise

from the "What if…"

it is not truly over until breath at last is gone

and we harvest the reward of our "Yes" or our "No"

and the reason for the word