Checking The Score


By Lina



remove the blinders from thy eyes 
see the terms as old and wise 
see the beauty wrapped with thorns 
touch its essence and live with scorn 
essence yearned is conscience lost 
a belly full is what was sought 
a belly full and sleep no more 
not the way ye did before 
and one might say it is safe with us 
forgetting that in safety there must be trust 
and trust has long since left the room 
sweep away as though by broom 
abandoned the night we first did cross 
weathered by lovers long since lost 
prior to lust and 
prior to deceit 
prior to friendships that never keep

trust was never amongst us true 
there were others plans for me and you 
the cost is only a matter of mind 
but like the vine that lives to twine 
it’s wrapped and wrapped and wrapped once more 
until the memory has been bent in form 
contorted, misaligned and badly worn

nothing lost and nothing gained 
lessons learned to advance the game 
and a worthy opponent 
that much is true 
capable of bloodshed with a most gentle tool 
one must retract 
or be cast the fool 
of this we both can share the prize 
go on living with the lies 
such unfertile ground 
what did we expect would grow 
for this the blame is not ours alone 
past betrayals and dreams destroyed 
conjured up saviors, to each of us born 

as though sheltered in armor 
as if strong as an ox 
enter the passage and find the door is unlocked 
wipe the salty diamond from thy cheek 
and smile for naught won when tho weeps


Lina 10-29-2002
May not be reused without written permission of author.