Bitterness

A twinkle in her eyes tonight 
evokes the thought that they invite,
though I recall, not long ago
my absence seemed more apropos.

The laughs that linger on her lips
bare more than many verbal slips -
the times they pierced me, sad and grim,
lie in the past, though far from dim.

She flayed me once... nay, more than twice, 
she flayed me both with flames and ice, 
and once again, predictably, 
she primes me for catastrophe.

Our friends and foes naively watch 
her try to carve a deeper notch, 
for even they don't seem to know
the depths to which she'd really go.	

Upon my face a pose appears
which hides my thoughts, obscures my sneers, 
for now I too have learned the rules
from her - ah, yes, the best of schools.

Because I'm acting somewhat cool, 
thus pouring on her fires, fuel, 
she burns and yearns and wants me more
than when I was her cuspidor.

She (unbeknownst, I'm not the same) 
pursues again her guileful game.
But when her tears descend and swell,
will she be proud she taught me well? 

The others leave, I stay behind
(they all know what she has in mind) ,
embrace her in my arms once more,	
beguile her through her bedroom door.

She whispers secrets in my ear, 
as I once did (she didn't hear);
I listen, flash some mirthless smiles,
my thoughts adrift to desert isles.

The night is passed, her trusting grows; 
I leave before the morning glows.
Aroused, she'll seek a waking thrill
but find instead a dollar bill.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2012

Poem

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Neumann Avatar
August 25, 2016 at 3:54 AM
Gosh, a dollar bill. And I have not heard words apropos and cuspidor for many ages...Congratulations. Kai
Negron Flores Avatar
August 24, 2016 at 3:05 PM
Congratulations Terry on the placement of the contest.
A   Avatar
July 9, 2014 at 12:07 AM
Terry, Congratulation, on having your poem featured on the soup's home page. Always & Forever ~LINDA~
Cavanaugh Avatar
October 11, 2012 at 4:39 AM
Wow, you have developed this poem expertly. All the lines in this poem are superb. My favorite line I would have to say is, "Than when I was your cuspidor". Brilliant word choice. This is an awesome poem.
Bennight Avatar
August 5, 2012 at 2:47 PM
Terry...I love it.
A  Avatar
July 31, 2012 at 11:27 PM
A late congrats *luv* Skat
A   Avatar
July 29, 2012 at 9:25 PM
Terry, i'm a little late,, but I'm here to .. Congratulate all my sisters winners.. Your entry was deep and straight forward. Thank you for supporting my sisters contest.. have yourself a good night~XOX~TEX
Taylor Avatar
July 27, 2012 at 8:43 PM
Congrats, Terry. Excellent. Great job. Nice going. Kudos. Ralph
Brown Avatar
July 27, 2012 at 11:37 AM
Congratulations on your win in the "Give It To Me Straight" contest Terry. Love, Carol
Williams Avatar
July 25, 2012 at 4:08 AM
Terry, super congrats on your win, excellent write...David
Allen Avatar
July 24, 2012 at 3:33 PM
Ouch I wonder what depth or experience this came from. To describe something with this much knowledge speaks of experience. Well written and well told.
Willimson Avatar
July 15, 2012 at 2:24 PM
that's amazing!! i can really relate to this. I love the flow and the emotion that just seeps from every word. very well written.
Whitehead Avatar
June 21, 2012 at 3:28 PM
I can't add to all that has been said except to say that your metre and your rhyming and your use of words within this poem is indeed very masterful Terry. A very well written poem.
Wesley Avatar
June 20, 2012 at 2:52 PM
Wow, this was a killer! An unforgettable story I needed right now. It builds so gradually till that last line which blew me away. Great poetry Terry! :)
Dietrich Avatar
June 19, 2012 at 8:22 PM
GREAT revenge poem. I was just waiting for that final PUNCH, and you delivered!!!
Onclaud Avatar
June 19, 2012 at 1:14 PM
blow me down,terry,, this work is masterfully arranged with a knock-out ending!..:) huggs!
Tams The Golden Girl Avatar
June 19, 2012 at 12:10 PM
This flows so well a wonderful tale of revenge here not that I am into revenge, but this is good my freind
Collins Avatar
June 19, 2012 at 8:40 AM
Terry - This is such a "crime." Low blow. Revenge is sweet. I love the flow of the poem. Good writing. love, Kathy
Hu Avatar
June 19, 2012 at 3:34 AM
very sad but written well
Andresen Avatar
June 19, 2012 at 1:28 AM
Very well done Terry, like it a lot. - oxox Anne-Lise
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