the gift
gold and garnets you kept her in
blackberry kisses in stolen confection
you were the bringer of bright shiny things
gifts that tantalized and seduced
her in a pink flannel gown on a log cabin porch
you told stories and kept her until dawn
working your courage to make the kill
harpooning the mermaid and chaining her to your heart
you gave her land beneath her feet but took it back
you gave her a baby boy but took him back
you gave her a diamond ring but took it back
you gave her a penthouse in hell's kitchen but took it back
you gave her a house in the Caribbean but took it back
your gave her your heart but can't take it back
you starved her so hungry she had no choice but to eat it
copyright Paulette Powell