The Cage of Your Love

A Poem

Photo by Carol Oliver on Unsplash

oh, you had me going —
thinking we had a rare thing
that could compete with the stars,
but there’s a billion of those
while I wonder why I thought
you were the one and only.

and your affection
smothered much more
than it ever filled me up
till I felt like I was choking on
the disaster of your arduous emotions.

oh, you had me played —
because I thought you were
the real deal, the gem in the sand,
but no — no — you were ice,
piercing and cold and temporary.

and your attention
simmered in waves
where you’d tell me
what I was doing wrong
and what I could do to improve.

oh, you had me confused —
thinking I was the temptress,
always eager for a good flirtation,
but I wasn’t the one to blame
when you called me what I never was.