Dead Odalisques

Snaffled cuffs link our hearts in chorus--
On baffled dream-seraglio of houris--
Oh never to awake from this bout of sleep
Though shadows squander themselves and sunlight creeps.

These eves are deep that shelter lonely eyes
Turned inward, bitter till self-horrified--
The odalisque tamed by dusky charms
Untongues the timid with her beckoning arms.


--Daniel J. Weeks and Gregg Glory