Tears of a Poet

He delved into his bag of tricks
'What to do today - shall I
Play a game of power, one where
I make a woman cry?'

So he span a tale of deepest love
And laid it at the door
Of a woman carefully chosen
Like so many times before.

Then he played the game so cleverly
Love and affection right on cue
A performance that made the audience gasp
Oh my dear, what a man, lucky you.

And in return she loved him back
With her mind, body and soul
But all games they come to an end
That's when he dealt his cruel blow.

He promised her a wedding ring
The one thing she wanted most
Then he laughed and vanished from her life
Disappeared just like a ghost.

Though she reasoned and she bargained
Her words fell upon deaf ears
And in her heartbreak and her sorrow
She cried him a million tears.

He watched her from a distance
And revelled in her pain
Ignored her and got ready
To play the game again.

However he'd picked the wrong victim
It took time but she got well
She recovered every one of her tears
And wove a story to tell.

A story that smashed his charming façade
And laid him bare for the world to see
A tale of lies and deception
And narcissistic cruelty.

Do you want to play a game she said
For your not cleverer than I
You see a poet will thrive on sorrow
So don't ever make us cry.


copyright 2019  carol ann lewis