the temptress and the thief

she tempts you with the apple divine,
an offering outstretched in her open palm,
she tells of a place sublime,
found in a taste of the apple's warmth,

she holds aloft time and space,
as her sway falls over your mind's array,
you quickly to her side pace,
to embrace this golden fruit's taste,

she tempts you with life and the chase,
an offering she smiled on her open face,
she tells you of her warm embrace,
as you take one more step towards the grave,

she tempts you with a smile,
with hidden motives all the while,
to steal from you, your inner child,
to take your innocence with her guile,

the temptress and the thief,
she is vanity and beauty, their villainous child,
for your heart she comes dagger sheathed,
this beautiful temptress and thief.