And By the Way

I love you as the cat loves the mouse,
As it hears the bones crack between its teeth,
And the blood spurt in its mouth.
I love you as the sun loves the early morning dew.
I love you as the sea loves the sandspit.
I love you as the Emperor loves his army, dreaming of glory.
I love you as baby loves its mother,
As the moon loves the shadowed hillside,
As the Son loves the Father.
I love you as the wine loved Omar,
And as the mouse loves the cat when it bites.