My life’s never-ending lesson
began shortly before I met you.

It started with a con
of which you wished
to rescue me from.
Your job, was to
undermine his job,
at working me over.

You succeeded.
I was grateful.

Maybe it was sympathy
that drew you to me.
I don’t know.
And maybe the guilt
caused you to hang on
longer than you should have.

I, so foolishly believed
you loved me
and that was why
you were my friend.

I was wrong.

Now that it’s been years
since the con passed
the memory of it
has been filled in
with evil absorbing dirt.

Or maybe it
wasn't a hole,
but more like
an intricate outline
of unknown form,
awaiting colors by number
totaling twenty-three.

And maybe you colored
outside the lines,
while I, like a demented child
filled in the emptiness
with clutter and nonsense,
just so you could stay
within me.

I was so sure of you.

It didn’t matter
if I used
bold strokes
wild colors
filled in all
the blank spots
or left them exposed.

But, I was wrong.
I feel so ashamed.

This is,
a never-ending life’s lesson.


© 2008 Sara Coslett