when I was young I was told, “share and share alike” -
but never what it meant, if you can share alike.

a glass of wine gives ruddy glow to lips and cheek,
tho half-consumed, redoubled joy when shared alike

beloved, eyes of amber seige my fertile mind -
my heart’s tilled within your gaze, sword and share alike

master I must with midnight oil this thirst for bayts,
from others’ verse, I ghazal deep, and sher alike

“a loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and thou” besides,
abundant joys together we can share alike

fortune’s bonds upon the wheel hold it tight and fast;
and yet it turns, escaped from cache and share alike

we both look up when moonshine glints on evening’s brow
and sing a part of the same song, then share alike

a sudden gasp, we cling together urgently -
then my breath is yours is mine now, when shared alike

another dawn dissolves the mists in golden light,
following Niamh, to summer I’ll then share alike