Love-Sex Confusion

At the end of the weary road,
The Ancient Sphinx asked the weary traveler:
"How is a child made?"

Dry-throated, weak-kneed,
The tired traveler replied:
"By sex."

A hole opened in the sand,
And the hourglass of eternity
Swallowed the sun-scorched fool.

At the end of the desert path,
The Ancient Sphinx asked the weary traveler:
"How is a child made?"

Blistered and star-spotted,
The weathered walker replied:
"By love."

A hole opened in the sand,
And the shifty sea of time
Consumed the half-born wit.

At the end of the winding world,
The Ancient Sphinx asked the weary traveler:
"How is a child made?"

Throat slaked wet with wisdom,
The patient pilgrim replied:
"By God."

And the stone stood silent.