Author Description

<p>****************RATED R FOR LANGUAGE****************</p><p>In this selection of poetry and short prose, Mark Shepard shares with you his twin obsessions with God and sex -- often in the same piece. Perhaps not since Solomon's Song of Songs have the lofty and the worldly been so entwined, like two lovers struggling toward communion. Humor, insight, reverence, sensuality, a penchant for austerity, and a gift of delight -- you'll find them all in &quot;Songs of Flesh, Songs of Spirit.&quot;</p><p>/////////////////////////////////////////////////</p><p>Mark Shepard's poetry has appeared in such illustrious journals as Pegasus, Fountainhead, and The New Potato Caboose.</p><p>/////////////////////////////////////////////////</p><p>&quot;Beautiful sparks in all kind of directions. Not the stylistic consistency that one sees in book-a-year poets, but more honesty, and a fine intensity.&quot; -- Rod Willmot, poetry editor, Black Moss Press</p><p>/////////////////////////////////////////////////</p><p>CONTENTS</p><p>In a world . . . </p><p>Crystal </p><p>Poem for Lew </p><p>Tell me something . . . </p><p>You scream for my ****, but . . . </p><p>We are destroyed . . . </p><p>Disciple </p><p>As the click of a boot heel . . . </p><p>I Am a Searcher Among Stones </p><p>Wet Dream </p><p>Beth </p><p>Sure, I love you . . . </p><p>Bed-Hopping </p><p>&quot;Look!&quot; she cried . . . </p><p>Brian </p><p>Lotus </p><p>Circle Dance </p><p>Gopi </p><p>Soulmate</p><p>/////////////////////////////////////////////////</p><p>GOPI</p><p>[Note: A gopi is one of the cowmaid lovers of Krishna. -- Mark]</p><p> </p><p>Last night my Lord came to me. </p><p>I had lain many nights waiting, </p><p>hoping His favor would find me, </p><p>there in the dark. </p><p>When He came, He came in silence -- </p><p>I did not hear Him enter, </p><p>did not see Him till He stood by my bed. </p><p>I gave a small cry, </p><p>but He reached out His hand to quiet me, </p><p>to soothe me. </p><p>Then He slid beneath t