A Twice-told Tale

She, with touching discretion, declines to describe
The fool as he is, so he's fooled. He blunders
Forward, flattered by courtesy. She's not in love,
But was taught by her parents to be polite. He,
In his fever, feels his own reflected heat, believing
It's hers. He sweats in her presence, sensing it's
Only a matter of time until they are hand in
Hand, in heaven on earth, but hours begin to go by,
And then days and weeks, and heaven is distant.
There's only the earth, his heat, and her manners.
At last, as he sees her with somebody else, he is
Forced to admit he's a fool.


No cudgel was needed to kill me. No,
Her kindness did it. My love, she did
Win it, but didn't want it. That's how
Things go. As the sun sets, I slink away.
None will know what has caused me to
Die. There's nothing to show, not a mark,
As there wasn't a blow.




Poetry by Lawrence Beck The PoetBay support member heart!
Read 30 times
Written on 2010-03-08 at 15:33

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