An Affair Of Sorts Poem by Patti Masterman

Don't tell anyone about this
But today I've been having an affair
He's colorful; he's an expert flier-
No one can pace him
Each time he comes near
I bow, extend my palms upward
Incline my head, entice him
With all the subtle arts I can employ
To prove my sincere intention:
We're not really so far removed from the animals
As we would like to suppose.

I lower my eyes as he stares my way
I curtsy each time he comes round again
Because there's no doubt that he's royalty
His size and appearance are proof
And it has driven the others crazy with jealousy
They imagine their territories shrinking daily
They're increasing their efforts
Of many against the one-
To oust him from the pond
They chase him hopelessly; he out maneuvers,
Leaves them behind in the waterlilies.

But he prefers to toy with them,
Great gambling precocious thing that he is
He caters to my desire while tossing them aside
Like so many flies on horse dung
Their annoyance no more to him
Than flea bites on a tortoise shell
It's the old story: the village males banding together
To force out the exotic outsider
Who courts the lonely girl; even if nobody else wants her.

He's a blue and green winged jewel
He's the spawn of the overlord; they've no recourse
I've chosen well: Offspring with him
Would be unimpeachable
I'm still waiting for his reply.