A Little Help

I wonder how Marvell fared 

With his coy mistress?

Was his talk of love and time

Sufficient to impress?

Did it help to name her parts 

In his passionate plea?

Is there anything in his poem

That could help a guy like me?

Could talking about a flea

Be helpful in a wooing time?

Did it really work for Donne

When he put it in his rhyme?

Is it wrong for me to doubt

The skill of a well-known poet?

Had he ever used a flea before;

If I use it will I blow it?

Maybe Billy Joel can help me

In this time of need?

Maybe he convinced Virginia

To stop counting on her beads?

If he did, could the line have been,

"I might as well be the one"?

Or was it really the fear that

Only the good die young?

Can I use these poets as if 

They were my personal Cyrano?

Could they help convince my love;

Would she ever know?

If I use the wooing words of

Donne, Joel or Marvell

Will the muses guarantee

That all will turn out well?

December 2013