SWEET-HO

In days of old, your sleeves were green
to herald your healing labors --
roaming with soldiers far from home
to hearten them with your favors.


You'll hear many a cruel name,
and many a slur and curse --
but let me call you "Sweet-Ho",
In better times and worse.


If I grow even older yet,
I may be all alone --
or maybe you'll be there to share
the caring that you've shown.


When strangers come to visit here,
knowing not a soul,
you may find their lonely need,
and briefly make them whole.


If I'm ugly, if I'm lame,
or blind, or deaf, or plain insane --
while others go by with noses held high,
Sweet-Ho may refrain from blame.


Like a lover (only calmer),
like a spouse (without the strife),
you're the healer of my pain,
you're the moonlight of my life.



......
-- anonymous;
for Pam;
August 2005.
Reprint freely. Copyright renounced.
......
[ Historical note:
These verses refer to an old English folksong,
"Greensleeves",
which more gracefully praises whores. ]
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