Love's Labor's Lust

On Publishing

Last night, I introduced myself to an old

Whore, whose whole history is so well known

Her many lovers, for the record, sold

Themselves to know her, so I'm not alone.

Like them, I felt compelled to add my name

To the endless list of suitors, seeking favor,

Submitting to her whims, for possible fame,

Certain rejection, yet I wished to have her.

Why, I don't know. Success with her puts you

With shameless self-promoters and real losers.

For what? True, there have been good people, too.

She is, after all, a whore. All of us use her,

Beginning this affair, fools, thinking of

The unlikely, if lucky, she will fall in love.

3/2/05