G.A.M.E. Poem by Deidre Dixon

It's a thing most of ‘em do.
Just gotta know when it's comin' at you.

Be careful and watch ‘cause it wears disguises.
Comes as flattery, strong affection and small, sweet surprises.

You might get told how good you look,
Or that you're so special he's hooked.

He'll listen to every word that you say.
‘Cause he can appeal to your emotions that way.

After a little time and your attention is piqued,
Then he'll try to heighten your senses with sensual speak.

Yeah, he'll tell you how close he wants to be with you.
And all the little things he would like to do.

Oh, he won't go all the way and get graphic or spell it out.
He'll give you just enough to leave your imagination with no doubts.

Before you know it, you'll be thinking about him all the time.
Thinking about your next encounter is all that's on your mind.

Soon, a time might go by when he doesn't even call.
When at first you heard from him daily, now nothing at all.

Outta the blue after a day or two he sends you a text.
"Hey baby, whatchu been up to and when can I see you next? "

No apology or reason for the lack of communication.
He doesn't even try to attempt at an explanation.

You're tryin' to give this dude the benefit of the doubt.
"Well, " you say, "we're just dating so I'll take the understanding route."

You go ahead and answer his message like everything is cool.
He's just taken his first step into making you out of a fool!

He tells you he wants to see you because he misses you so much.
How you always smell so good and your skin is so soft to the touch.

You go ahead and make plans to meet up with him again.
You make up your mind to talk to him about disappearing then.

Y'all get together to spend some time and things are going so well.
"He couldn't possibly be playing games, " is what to yourself you tell!

You mention how he was missing in action in your own sweet way.
"Aw baby, I just had to handle some business, " is what he has to say.

He assures you that he would have much rather been with you.
But, he had been putting things off that he had no choice but to do.

You let it go then make plans with him, only again to get let down.
Now, you're having second thoughts about this fool because he's acting like a clown.

Once again he tries to connect like everything is all good.
This time you don't hesitate to call him out for his foolishness like you should!

He says absolutely nothing to you this time; doesn't even bother to respond.
He knows you done peeped his hole card for the past, future and beyond!

If you had allowed it, he would've kept going with all of his shenanigans.
Talkin' ‘bout how bad he wants you, and can't wait ‘til y'all together again.

The way these men act when they get a woman is really a downright shame!
This, my dear, is what some call playin', but it's really called runnin' G.A.M.E.

"G.A.M.E., " you ask in your naive way. "What in the world is that? "
It's a Guy's Attempt (to)Manipulate (and)Entrap.

The idea is that they want to have their cake and they want to eat it too.
To them, it just ain't cool to be loyal to a good woman like you.

They have to try and get you without making a commitment at all.
Then keep you hanging on with false hope while they are out having a ball!

So don't get played by these playas out here just ‘cause you won't open your eyes!
Learn the game so you know it when you see it, then you can dismiss these guys.

This is pretty common behavior and from guy to guy pretty much the same.
When they start playing Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, you'll know they're trying to run G.A.M.E.!