SALOME NEVER REALLY THOUGHT...

Ask me

and for you I’ll burn

the world.

Ask me —

I’ll don the clichés

and outdo Gatsby

for gold-hatted high-

            bouncing love.

                        If you ask

I’ll pull the heavens down

or die trying to lay them

            at your feet —

Desire it and I’d

reach down inside

strangle the poet

dress the corpse as

an accountant.

I’ll be the best friend

the lover or

both; your counsellor

carer; therapist; clown;

your partner; I’ll be

your mirror —

In my

long-gazing appraisals when

you’d know my thoughts —

look — see

yourself reflected then

ask

yourself — who looks back.

Ask

which you you’d be —

ask

what you’d have from me —

and knowing all this

don’t

ask me

to be your heroin.