The New Modesty

The world's one big souk now. Each woman's
Face is veiled. The puritans are doubtless
Satisfied, as all those charms beneath,
They think, are kept away from weak
Young men whose piety may not yet
Have the strength to hold them on the path
To righteousness. I'm not so sure that those
Old prudes should take much comfort from
This veiling. What is partly hidden
Can inflame the spirit more intensely
Than what fully is in view. I gaze at eyes
Above the masks, sometimes, and lust
For what's below, what cannot be revealed
In public: treasure, perhaps, stunning beauty.
I can't be the only one. The younger men
Also may stray, beguiled by the veils.



Poetry by Lawrence Beck The PoetBay support member heart!
Read 49 times
Written on 2021-04-16 at 23:40

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