Mortal Deeds, Immortal Needs

Mortal Deeds, Immortal Needs

      Mortal Deeds, Immortal Needs

   Perhaps beside some sliding stream, or on

More modish bed, they move barely as one –

Bodies in lightshine bathed or nightshade swathed –

Performing privately those ancient rites

Which tune emotions to shared harmonies,

Their interactions from profane eyes screened

By foliage of circumambient plants

Or other modest veilings of the site.

   In every generation such routines

Of life’s most intimate activities

Are re-enacted on a world-wide scale

Innumerable times by countless pairs,

   Unwittingly expressing in their mortal deeds

   Partial fulfilments of immortal human needs.