Spent

SPENT
So seldom she sees him –
sometimes twice a week –
stays free for stray whim
to tease, tousle, peek.

When he leaves salt tears swim,
then she grieves, fears weak,
brown eyes, russet rim,
pearls course down, streak cheek.

She wakes out on a limb
for his sake, rake sleek,
the chances seem slim
he’ll wedding bespeak.

Over half-truths he’ll skim
though true love she’ll seek –
no commitments from him –
sad heart cries, sighs bleak.

19 November 1977 revised 17 November 2008
robi03_0142_robi03_0000 XXX_LUX
for previous version entitled Borrowed Time see below

Borrowed Time

So rarely she sees him, –
two to three times a week, –
though free for his stray whim
to tease, tousle, speak.

When he leaves her, salt tears swim,
then she grieves, from fears weak,
brown eyes russet of rim,
down pearls course, streak each cheek.

Over half-truths he’ll skim
although true love she’ll seek, –
no commitments from him –
her heart is so bleak!

19 November 1977

poem by Jonathan Robin
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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