Your Version of Love

Part II

freshblossoms
Fresh blossoms|Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

You treat love like it owes you
something

doling out side-eye glances
trying your best to move it
when it’s firmly planted where
it should be

a damsel in distress
stressed to the max

and undeniably crafty
love isn’t on your payroll
yet you expect it to work
overtime

You lay down roots in
places where home will not
come when you call it

and surf the net 
in higher than
high heels
 hoping for a piece
of the not-so American pie
sliced just right

and sweetened to perfection
a sweet tooth’s dream
, victimized
and scorn, you carry love
on your shoulders asking
the world to pay attention to
your alter ego
instead of your natural state

Love does not accept collect calls
doesn’t grant you three wishes
or murder your work enemy so
you can get ahead
the ladder of life must be
climbed

and with love hanging in the
balance
you put on different shoes
you change your clothes
you buy new makeup and dazzle
the neighborhood with fake smiles

Your version of love is a
heartache-induced party
conjured up by demented thoughts

but you call it “the past”
and 
everyone slides into their
perfect places
 yearning to tour
a maze with no exit
love stands idly by
scoping out the scenery

intent on seeing what you have
colored red, turned it blue, and
made it green
with envy and absolutely
no love


Musical inspiration: Tennessee Whiskey/Drink You Away — Justin Timberlake & Chris Stapleton. Originally published on Medium.

Part I