POETRY

The Rake

Before you go, please kiss me twice,
No one, save me, need ever know.
Once is so meager; twice is nice.

Only a glutton might beg thrice.
Or shall you let me kiss you, so?
Before you go, please kiss me twice,

And let me give you my advice:
By twos our love will doubly grow.
Once is so meager; twice is nice.

Don’t count my hunger as a vice;
Twin trumps of dawn now boldly blow.
Before you go, please kiss me twice,

Your lips have turned as blue as ice.
Don’t leave me, make me singly go,
Once is so meager; twice is nice.

Let us not wait for shoes or rice,
The posting of Banns is so slow.
Before you go, please, kiss me twice,
Once is so meager; twice is nice.

m. landers 12/03