FOR PRETENDING

They gave me a rose
for pretending to be someone else:
an aromatic currency paid due
for my deceit.

It's lines biconvex, weaving and twisting--
flashing colorful tricks
to all these craving eyes,
to all you craving audiences.

Like this rose, I loved you long before
I ever detected such a smell
or felt the velvet curve
gates of such a bud.

I admired you
long before I set you solitary upon
this desk, and painted you--
on cut-out cardboard
from a beer case
(half-submerged in water.)

Realistically speaking,
I'm just eager.
but meloncholy within confines
of this context
sinning with jealousy for you,
my love.

But like this rose,
I am still living by you
dreamily
though this vase of water thins
and the acidity is no longer enough
to burn me inside.

©Copyright 2004 Brittney Rand.