Tantalising

That Tantalus had an easy time
with merely grapes beyond his reach
and grabbing them not a possible crime.
But how would he handle a ripening peach

with creamy skin and succulent flesh
like all those pendulous next to me ?
That's real temptation, sweet and fresh,
beckoning invitingly.

Desirable fruit are such a goal,
jostling and dancing to a beat,
showing they know how to rock and roll
with silky skills on nimble feet.

Such striking lovelies hovering near
demand defence more than attack
and make my lack of choice quite clear -
I keep my hands behind my back.

All pressed together makes it hard
to guard against carnality.
I'd have to accept a yellow card
but I can't afford a penalty.

42 ?

Ignoring sex and politics,
religion, education, art,
literature and economics,
music, nature, science, sport;

disdaining class and social tension,
love and duty, peace and war,
radio and television,
the job, the hobbies, house and car;

discounting bills and holidays,
parents, children, husband, wife,
happiness in all its ways -
what is the meaning of life ?

Kyrgyrstan

The summer plains bake in desert heat
while distant mountains tempt with white ice cream.
The solemn peaks pour sparkling water over tumbled rocks
though upward eddies surge against the flow
reluctant to descend to dumpling foothills.
The ice cold blue of the water is diluted sky.
Climbing cows ascend the slopes
picking their way through herds of horses.
Outrider dogs guard galloping horsemen up the valleys.
The needle fir trees point to summit snow
soon stained by Asian night.
The moon keeps watch.