Carnal Knowledge 

Even in bed I pose: desire may grow
More circumstantial and less circumspect
Each night, but an acute girl would suspect
My thoughts might not be, like my body, bare.
I wonder if you know, or, knowing care?
You know I know you know I know you know. 

I am not what I seem, believe me, so
For the magnanimous pagan I pretend
Substitute a forked creature as your friend.
When darkness lies - without a roll or stir -
Flaccid, you want a competent poseur.
I know you know I know you know I know. 

Cackle you hen, and answer when I crow.
No need to grope: I'm still playing the same
Comical act inside the tragic game.
Or is it perhaps simpler: could it be
A mere tear-jerker void of honesty?
You know I know you know I know you know. 

Lie back. Within a minute I will stow
Your greedy mouth, but will not yet to grips.
"There is a space between the breast and lips."
Also a space between the thighs and head,
So great, we might as well not be in bed.
I know you know I know you know I know. 

I hardly hoped for happy thoughts, although
In a most happy sleeping time I dreamt
We did not hold each other in contempt.
Then lifting from my lids night's penny weights
I saw that lack of love contaminates.
You know I know you know I know you know. 

Abandon me to stammering, and go;
If you have tears, prepare to cry elsewhere -
I know of no emotion we can share.
Your intellectual protests are a bore,
And even now I pose, so now go, for
I know you know. 

Thom Gunn