An Ode to Tantalus

These petals
in my mind
forgotten intrusions
innocent victims
of predation and sin
with no rabbit
or rosary
or reason.

These leaves
like lips
disguising secrets
hiding breaths
of yesterday
glistening
with the promise
of rain.

Ah, the elixir
the chalice
and wine
the freedoms
of rebirth
and redemption

and response
and ability
a penchant for meaning
for intent
and the tension
of multiple
"goods."

Reaching is redundant
in this purgatorial state.
Cheating the allegory
is a preferential fate.
I’ll hunger
and I’ll thirst
but I shall not be taunted.
Rather than reach
I’ll resign
and I’ll wait
and be wanted.