i have a harlot in my heart
she is my guest
i invited her in
her sultry voice
speaks for me
and then i hear her mocking laughter
as i, with shame, hide her away
behind a transparent veil of excuses
she knows her foothold in my heart
i both desire and fear her presence there

and so we softly beckon
to strangers and comrades alike
and i with false coquettry
retreat in fear of arousing true desire
dancing ever closer to
the edge of sinful ways
driving off one by one
those whom i define myself by
until she is all that remains
and some will call it a sad case
and some will turn in silent disgrace
and some will beg and plead and admonish
what they believe to be me
but which is really only
  a shell that is
    housing a harlot