Her desire is called a sin to shackle her power ...

Serpent's Bargain

by Patrick Bernardy

Caresses sealed in splendor makes her young               —this gasping rush is hot inside her heart.               A blinding blissful blast—her passion sprung!               —the serpent slithers forth to source its part.                 The snake it offers blame in fork-tongued fits               and sings its sweet and soft corrupter's hiss.               The scaly scalding skin and venom-spits               inject the guilt that buys her lover's kiss.                 Desire doomed in chantries forms her shame               —it roasts her soul within its holy light.               Malignant moral men condemn her claim               —they keep the serpent coiled around her night.                 Her pleasure twists the faithful's code until               it's caustic to the sacramental mind.               Consenting couples coo their secret thrill               for there the serpent always waits entwined.