“Solomon wrote,” my grandfather said:
Do not stir up
nor awaken love
until it pleases.

My grandfather,
93 when he told me that,
said: “Solomon wrote
those words 3 different times.”

Do not stir up
nor awaken love
until it pleases.
& he said, “Solomon the wise

knew breasts. He sang of them:”
Your two breasts
are like two fawns,
twins of a gazelle.

Then grandfather asked:
“Do you know what more of love
old King Solomon wrote?”
I could not answer his question.

With a twinkle
I had not seen before
in his eyes,
grandfather told me,

“Solomon’s words always showed us
a great woman lover,
a lover who sang, I imagine
in a sweet, clear voice:

His left hand is under my head,
And his right hand embraces
me.
What say you?”

I could say nothing.
I did, however, form
an immediate image
of such coupling.

-Rudy Thomas