[Newspoetry] Betrayal

[DL Emerick]

Love is a story,
better to tell: Grimm,
who hid behind tales,
happily after,
ever the after,
left story untold.

A love tells you lies,
the sweets you ear wants,
whispering offers,
promising it all,
taking it all back
when her mood changes
and leaves you hopeless,
without a reason,
never explains it,
as if it had none,
except amusement,
which has faded out,
and left you broken.

Man's word is honor,
to keep promises made,
to stick by himself,
as nothing else is
dignified as he.

Paris found Helen
and she fled with him,
leading to great war,
as she was fickle,
woman weak of will,
and Paris fit her,
like a royal crown,
more to her liking.

Agammenon wept,
angry for her love,
ashamed of his loss,
for what great men face
is loss of self's place
when a true love leaves,
in abandon lewd,
seeking another,
who is so much less.

War might not happen
if the loss were fair,
to a better man,
for who complains then,
that better triumphs?
But, a prince, no king,
is a lesser man,
and the king knew it.

What cause have I, then,
to wage war for love,
when it flees from me,
for a lesser man,
man who never was,
never will be much,
for I'm but has been.

Yet betrayal hurts;
it robs me of pride,
makes me feel a fool,
strips me of honor,
buries me in shame,
all for a woman,
fickle as a flame.