CHAPTER 12Tonight I summon
the Hungarian barbarian to my bed
you without conscience or hope
without limit or regret
with the torch of the phallus
in your eyes
with the world’s sour sweat on your limbs
with the wombs of all women
in your hands
with a conqueror’s sword
in your thighs
fire for fire, lust for lust
tonight I want you
demon and no man to be.
– Lili Bita, “The Barbarian”
A week later, Millie sneaked me into her dorm room. She had a surprise for me: a portrait of herself taken in the same light blue dress and ivory heart necklace she wore when we exchanged vows. There was more. She had picked up a sexy nightgown at Higbee’s. Holy s**t! I thought. I tried grabbing her right then and there, but she pushed me away. Gently. There was to be no hanky-panky in the Agnes Gu
