He Is Poor Poem by RIC BASTASA

she picks her
from mud
he tells her
he loves her
and she believes him
and dresses and feeds him
and he tells her more that
he loves her truly and that
he will love her forever
he needs her
that is nearer to the truth
and she is the most hopeless romantic in town
and thirsty for love
many years back when she had an attempt
of taking her life
she is still suicidal

he loves ease and comfort
that is nearer to the truth
and she knows that well too,
he loves another but she loves him more than that
she keeps what she knows
he hides what he can
and they live in one house
and sleep in one bed and dream
and learn to survive
in this kind of situation
loving and pretending
and keeping that matter within themselves

for how many years
since then?
12 years and there will be more
time passing by
like a stranger fitting
his night in a motel

that is the truth, and they
do not mind it anymore

'who cares? ' their theme.