For A Woman Poem by L C Vieira

When a man loves you,
you try to understand how he thinks.
He shouts to the world, 'She changed my life! '
He gives gifts, sends a river of kisses
and explores every part of you.
He warms your heart with quiet reverence
due some extraordinary treasure.

So bright is his light, you rush for it,
hungrily exposing every hopeful pore.
What remarkable love he has!
So, what is in his head?

One day, while drinking your tea,
you pick up the newspaper,
and see him right there on the front page!
…big smile on his face, undressed girls clinging to him
and the headline: 'I'm having an awful time, really! '

You wonder, 'Now what do I do with this news? '
He assures you it was not a memorable time.
Other men failed (but he did not) -
He couldn't wait to get out of there.
Huh!

What do you do when he comes to you,
big eyes moist with sincerity?
Is it that men pat themselves on the back
for the things they did not do,
while women (and talk shows) see the things they did?

Is that it? Is that all?

You shake your head,
this complex ritual of simple delusions,
and pour a little something in your tea.

(2004)