The Other Cheek


On Reaching Seventy or... The Years of Discretion?
When pretty girls come up to kiss, ( - a gracious salutation - ) I know their reasoning is this: I'm safely past temptation. But pretty girls, please have a care and play the wiser part for though there's winter in my hair There's summer in my heart! However low the flame has burned, because the flesh is weak, When you provoke me I have learned To turn the other cheek

On Reaching Seventy or... The Years of Discretion?

When pretty girls come up to kiss,
( - a gracious salutation - )
I know their reasoning is this:
I'm safely past temptation.

But pretty girls, please have a care
and play the wiser part
for though there's winter in my hair
There's summer in my heart!

However low the flame has burned,
because the flesh is weak,
When you provoke me I have learned
To turn the other cheek

(1981)