^{by Annette Gagliardi}

The frigid night releases Desperado
who slides between the sheets.
Ever-so-slowly she glides her toes
toward her lover who snores & sleeps.


The rise & fall of his sinewy chest
gives courage to her plan -
which is to snuggle ever-so-close
to the heat rolling off her man.


If her mission is successful
and temptation can be tamed;
frozen feet, ever-so-cold
will thaw and live again.


So, stealthily, silently slides her toe
in search of its chosen need.
While unsuspecting Romeo
lies in slumber’s sweet flower & weed.


Under the covers in darkness
Desperado surrounds her foe.
Both love and hate beguile her
as she tries not-too-far to go.


Those feet on that sightless journey
do find the prize they seek.
And ever-so-greedy they scurry
to the source of that slumbering heat.


A VOICE EVER-LOUD in the darkness
SHATTERS the still of the night.
Desperado’s frozen caresses
have given him such-of-a-fright !


. . . . ! . . .(pause). . . . ! . . . .


After a time there is slumber.
The oh!-so-frigid will go.
Once again he lies snoring & sleeping.
as he snuggles his Desperado.