All … Paradigms … Cherbourg

I am not operating under the
Paradigm of Andreas Capellanus,
“The Art of
Courtly Love” in 12th
Century France which
Legitimized flirting as long
As nothing physical happened.
Double entendres, poems,
Songs and acts of valor
Like a lady’s scarf on
A knight’s lance.
Though, of course, it often
Happened as with
Lancelot and Guinevere and
All hell broke loose.
I am operating under the
Popeye the Sailor
Paradigm of mid 20th
Century under which
I sez what I means and
I mean what I sez.
What paradigm are
You operating under
For protection from
The reign of the
Tyranny of Time?
Screw your courage
To the sticking point
And tell me where
Is your head?