Courtesy of a Courtesan

"Desire begins in the mind. Cleopatra, Theodocia, she could seduce a man at twenty paces, without revealing an inch of flesh."  

-Paola Franco (Dangerous Beauty, 1998)  
 
How does one enter a man's heart?  
Well, a cynic would say a blade  
slipped between  
the third and fourth rib  
twisting it in a bit  
 he'll bleed for you  
 
A true intellectual knows  
the entrance to a man's heart  
is through his mind  
 
I like the way he smiles  
when I bite my lip  
modestly dressed  
yet with enough suggestion  
to hint at my flesh  
 
we can talk for hours  
about the stars  
and what comes after  
our lives  
 
We can ride into the trees  
free from burden  
from society and shame  
take me out on your arm  
I'll shine by your side  
you love it  
when you can shield me  
from harm  
 
I followed the way of the women  
who knew the sacred art  
seduction, love,  
the treasuring of hearts  
and when I start the game anew  
I know how to play the part  
 
I can be beautiful  
in the way a fire is beautiful  
dancing for you  
 
You'll believe I am yours  
when my lips part  
gasping as you deliver to me  
release as we make love  
under the Venetian stars  
 
I'll treat you as a treasure is treated  
kept close to my chest  
held there before my heart  
and you may love  
the scent of my skin  
but..  
 
Can you love my art?  
 
~  
 
"A woman's greatest  
and most hard won asset  
is an education"  
-Veronica Franco  
 
~  
 
My infatuation with books  
makes you look at me  
with intrigue  
I'll be your mystery  
in the words I speak  
crafted carefully  
and tailored for you  
 
You grin with pleasure  
when I recite to you  
the work of Dante  
traversing through Inferno  
or retell a jest  
of Shakespearean script  
 
The courtesy of the courtesan in me  
giving you the best I can be  
so long as you know my price..  
 
So I ask-  
 
Can you afford me?