Jezebel's Lover Poem by babitha marina justin

you have lost your innocence
to say you love me
love comes with conditions
for you.
you are scared if love
will tie you down to me
or
uttering this word
will imprison you
to the weight of its being.

instead you say
'come sleep with me' or
you are good in bed'
you compliment me
'a warm bitch'
'an uninhibited lover'
expecting me to gloat!

my love,
love is not your instinct
its measured in the time
that you cash out
in front of the monitor
or in the steering wheel

you manouevre
coursing traffic jams
without rage
or in the twitter of your
daughter's laughter
the future that you
dream for her,
or in the doe-eyed wife
with long hair
who preserves her fidelity
just for you,
or in the new home
you have built with
your artistic hands.

you are complete
in the small world you
have spun -
like a spider
waiting in his trap.
when unloved
you turn to me
raw blood and flesh
wildness and nerves
you tell me its not love
i smile
then disappear
into my cocoon.
my love
i think i should tell you
i survive despite you!