Lie To Me, Sweetheart (poem)

mf poem

Lie To Me, Sweetheart

Darling, not the truth. Anything but that.
Leave truth to Court TV. You're not on trial.
Lie. It doesn't even have to be a good one,
I'll believe it. Say the maid got nabbed
By immigration. Sure. That's why the bed's a mess,
That's why the ashtray's full. You like cigars,
You never told me. The same goes for the Jack Daniel's --
And all this time I thought you liked Bacardi,
Silly me; yet, there's the rum beside the whiskey.
A mixer! Of course! You've always liked the taste
Of something new! See? Lying is easy. Try it.
Mine? That condom's mine? You saved it? Good.

Absolutely nothing is your fault, I know,
You're victimized by your seductive charms.
That tail's a prize that any master of the hounds
Would cherish. But, when you're through testing the bed-springs;
Bosom bouncing free from your tiny silk chemise;
Arms and ankles dancing in the air;
Swearing, sweating, screaming, (Damn! I love this part!)
Till neighbors bang the walls, when you're through,
Pull your propriety up with your panties, princess.
Try not to make it easy for the tabloids
To ruin your rep. We all want to believe you. Lie.
Try harder. There's a hair between your teeth,

A scarf will hide the hickey. Hmph, insubstantial
Evidence. I'm a New York City native --
I'm used to paranoia and suspicion. Truth
Just breezed through the lobby downstairs, reeking of Red,
Your favorite perfume; a sappy-looking smile on his face.
Good riddance, stranger! Who needs the truth? Truth
Would mean my ruin. Women tell such truths to kill
Relationships, so let me live a lie.
Stay your prisoner's execution, for I would die
Without you (and that would really make a mess).
Perjure yourself. Not guilty! See? Case dismissed!
Save the truth for your husband, darling. He'll be home soon.