Composure

When you can do what

I can do, you don’t need to

Beg for attention

Scam

It’s only a grift

You catch feelings, and she just

Covets your wallet

Imprisoned by my

Ambition, I waste away

For want of your touch.

Would that I could take

Back every caress which I

Lavished upon you

Mesquite crackles, throws
Firelight across honey
skin, turquoise water

Wondering which I

Should have mistrusted; your kind

Words or your embrace?

Will it ever be

Enough? I struggle forward,

Fighting to the end.