Other Men's Girlfriends Poem by Edward Rhodes

I do not write poems about other men’s girlfriends
Although, upon reflection, I can see that I have
I have done so much that I now regret
While seeking to demonstrate my own virtues

Upon reflection, I can see that I have
Been wasting my time in writing these words
In seeking to demonstrate my own virtues
In allowing myself to believe in dreams

Why am I wasting my time in writing these words
When they do not open women’s hearts?
And when, in allowing myself to believe in dreams
I realise how foolish I appear

No, my words do not open women’s hearts
It is through bitter experience that I have found this to be true
And, although I realise how foolish I appear
Still, I may receive applause from my friends

And, through bitter experience, I have found it to be true
That I am not the man that I imagine myself to be
But still, I may receive applause from my friends
And in that, at least, I have some consolation

But I am not the man that I imagine myself to be
And I have done so much that I now regret
In this, at least, I once had some consolation
That I did not write poems about other men’s girlfriends