Quarrel of the Rose

“it is always wise and noble to keep one’s secrets hidden, because there is perfidy everywhere.”– Christine de Pizan (1365-1429) 

The rooster tries to stay the course 

But must skip over embers hot 

And searing flesh will secrets part 

Exposing obscene sucking maw 

Rack and reason’s ruin now 

Slut and whore and meretrix 

And serpents tongue the venomed word 

Flash fried inside her treasure’s flame 

Flee! Flee! My God! 

From snakes that writhe in twisted grass. 

Not crowned in laurels but 

Buried in flames 

Lo 

Things finish in the end.