Words

You submit to my will
When it pleases you.

Yet when I need you,
You scramble and hide
As she nears.

While it's true I've been known to
Neglect you for those in my past
I have never abandoned you-
given you cause to treat me so.

For all you know she could
Enhance our love, share it-
bring us closer.

The way we, together, speak of
Her rich, dark, mahogany eyes
Her skin of warm silken milk
The world of expression in the lips we both should taste.

But you, like a selfish, jealous lover
Leave me looking like a fool
Turning her away from me - from us

Until we sit here alone
Like sullen, grumpy old men
Scratching the hard dirt with dead sticks.

Tim Hickey