As blood is

As blood is
           as blood rises
handsome blood
           ruby red
rich with iron
           fortitude
of the soul
           it irrigates

as blood is
           as love
as winsome smile
           as soft brown hair
wind-blown
           into tear-stained eyes
lips chafed
           under the sun

as blood is
           that bleeds
into the fallow earth
           blood of promise
of covenant
           of marriageable minds
faithful unto death
           blood of my breath
blood of my flesh
           all for the heart
as blood is
           as blood is

John Lyons