His Face Sits Cracked Above the Mantelpiece.

Or

The Woman They All Hate.

Or

The Spinster Become.

---

I see you walk through the door

With the unromantic flowers and chocolates in hand

And you expect me to be romantic

When I saw you hours before

Standing in the streets and clinging to whores?

---

My heart isinfertile and you

Have made it so.

---

Didn’t you realise

Your sordid little secret would be discovered?

You don’t seem very worried.

---

I suppose if I love you I am expected

To give you another chance?

So you can go off again?

I am no fool.

---

Love is the Blindman’s game

Though all can play.

I must have been blind to love you!

You blinded me

With you false face – the one that now sits

Cracked and ruined above the mantelpiece.

---

Yes – that one!

You don’t remember it?

What a surprise!

You discarded it long ago

And have worn many since.

---

I felt something for that mask.

But no longer anything

For you.

---

You are trespassing

Stranger.

You are no longer a part of my life

So leave before I call the authorities.

---

Get violent and do what?

I’ve seen your childish tantrums before and

I want no more!

---

And now you want me?

Love me?

Can’t live

Without me?

Oh, I’m sure you’ll be able to find

All you need out there

On the streets.

---

I’m willing to let them tell me

It’s all my fault

For not allowing it to work.

---

What would they know?

How dare they judge me

When they hide behind

Scuffed wedding rings and

Pinned-up grins!

---

What now!

Throw you heart on the floor!

Cry ‘til you scream!

---

But you are asking the heart that never bled

To bleed.

---

Amilyi Marraan.