F). One Up

One Up

She hinted that her gift for love was deep and rare and true.
She felt superior as old acquaintances often do
To each other, knowing just enough about the other life
To keep their comfort zone complacently free of strife.

I sensed she thought me cheap, having been too free in my youth
(Rather too careless in discarding my virginity, to tell the
truth).
She wanted the man she loved so purely to prove
His love with a ring, but he kept her at one remove.

I knew that every reason which he gave her was a lie
The married woman he truly loved and wanted lived nearby,
He used her as an excuse to visit and for a place to stay
I didn't tell her any of that; but it made my day.

Yet I've been love's silly putty too, I thought sadly as I left
And of all my memories of sweetness I was suddenly bereft,
For though I've been willing meat when with lovers' lies
devoured,
My heart which always saw the truth has never been deflowered.

*****
c. Copyright by Anjali Paul