Is It Love? Poem by RIC BASTASA

do i close my eyes when i am in love?
do i blind myself?

you rob me because i love you
i know it
but i pretend that i do not know about what you are doing

you pretend that you are not robbing me
you have always pretended that you love me so much

two pretentious people
then
loving each other
on the surface

when it is dark, they open their eyes
and plan for the next activity

one gets love, and one gives it
one eyes a fortune, the other one gives it willingly in return

for you see, this is the symbiosis of
love and pretenses

the rich is hungry for love, the poor has it
the poor is looking for money, the rich amply shall give it

'is it love? ' you ask.