Fidelity

Desire haunts even the faithful,
monogamy does not extend to thought
or fantasy.

But the reality
of that duplicitous collision-
of warm lubricated bodies
fueled by the magnetism of the unknown-
is hollow.
Once the hedonistic moment crescendos
it must dissipate,
then regret, guilt, and paranoia
begin to seed and sprout and grow.
Like the cannonball chained to some poor expired sailor
it drags the body down to the dark, alien, cold below.

Imagination cannot be restricted
even would we wish it.
It is not the thinking but the doing
that requires policing.
For who has not called up in their mind
the kind and beautific statements
uttered by friends and family at their fantasized funeral,
who has not envisioned themself some famous politician or movie star
basking in the reverence of millions,
who has not cerebrally constructed epitomous sex
with this or that celebrity.

As long as thoughts remain thoughts
and do not develop into deeds-
All harmless make-believe.