20150715: I loved you once

I loved you once,

And you loved me.

Where has he gone,

the man I used to love?

Your smile is wonderful but never for me,

Your smile is kept for others;

For me you never bother 

Your words can be sweet 

But for me they are bitter:

Designed to hurt me, to hit.

Your touch is electric;

But you save it miserly,

Just like your love for those times

When you need me most  -

What is the cost

Of your attention?

Never good enough, never bright enough, never satisfied. 

Discontented with what you used to like,

Always stricturing, demanding,  commanding -

What can I do but retreat into silence? 

A lover who doesn't love,

A husband who doesn't cherish,

A carer who doesn't care,

One who disdains to give affection -

Or even to take it.

Never saying please thank you or sorry,

To admit fault like giving away your life;

Full of conspiracy theories -

But unable to see your own corruption -

Where is the man I used to love?

31 December 2014

169 words, 34 lines