Once Bitten Twice Shy

An oldie gasping for an airing

Through blinkered eyes she gave to him

her love both pure and true,

and on his shoulders trust she placed

for all that he might do.

As promises are made to keep

and he had sworn a pledge,

she never thought his faithlessness

would drive her to the edge.

Nor did she question any lies,

assuming he was ill.

So harder still, she tried to please,

yet warmth reduced to chill.

Then came the day he stayed away,

the turning of the screw.

She searched for answers one by one,

she found them clue by clue.

Left on her own within their home,

rejected full of pain,

she rummaged in her memories

for reasons though in vain.

The days passed by, the seasons changed

she lived with disbelief

and knew that she would trust no more

for fear of further grief.

Reviews

[Lorry]

Superbly written Christine. It may just be the3 way I am reading this, but the flow of it overall is uplifting, even whimsical, which plays against the subject of the piece, broken trust.
I think most, if not all can relate to this, the feeling of devastation, caused by someone we loved of all people. I don't know if it is universal, but to me that is the ultimate betrayal, to have everything you gave thrown back in your face, by someone we didn't even resalise was wearing a mask in the first place. These are the hardest of all to get over, in my humble opinion. Hopefully the day came that they realised that it is not their fault, to be conned by a fraudster, who will do it again and again, until karma bites his or her a*s....Or someone does it to them and shows them first hand the devastation they have caused. We can hope at least :)

[Chris Shaw]

An old write Lorry, but betrayal of this nature is very hard to forget. As you say the trust is completely broken. It's good if a bit of karma comes along, but usually time will heal even the most bitter of situations. Your visit here very much appreciated.

Chris

[θεά ]

Agree with Lorry's and your comments on this.

Sorry, it is a theme one can only relate too strongly at this point. But yes, the fraudster has been unmasked. And only good things can happen from here.

[Temperance]

Oh my goodness. I feel the pain in this poem that is so nicely written. It is so difficult to believe they lie or are unfaithful and, we do search to find the clues when we never suspected. Makes it very difficult to trust. Painfully good read, Chris. Thanks for sharing.....I think. :)) Temp

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Temp. Yes painful at the time, but a long time ago. Everything softens with the passing of time. Appreciate your thoughtful review. All good wishes.

Chris

[Temperance]

Thank you and you’re welcome.

[Richard🖌]

Ahhh, Chris 🌾

There's nothing like a fetching title atop a well-struck Ballad, rendered by a seasoned pen, to draw readers into your moment and hold 'em captive from first to final word … and, this excellently struck piece is an exemplary example of all that, and even more in rich, appealing poetical devices.
Not only have you followed a perfect 8/6/8/6 Ballad count in an a-b-c-b, d-e-f-e, etc; rhyme scheme, you've taken metaphor, emotion, the language of syntax, poetic voice, and blended it all ever-so cleverly into your ink in such a way it virtually dances before us upon the page.
From your earliest days at the Café I've admired and respected the many ways your creative mind, heart, and soul conspire to bless us with sigh-worthy poetry.
In these six verses of "Once Bitten Twice Shy", you take us on a lover's journey from young, beautifully trusting, naïve damsel, through each transitory moment into a scorned and love jaded skeptic … oh, how sadly true your tale of woe rings, but she will know farrr wiser now about what to look for in a lover and what to avoid.
Love can be a tough arbiter, but if we're alert, we soon enough learn to listen and steer clear of repeating our mistakes; as your titles so eloquently stipulates!
Well, I did get swept away … perhaps, it's been so long since I've reviewed for you and I'm making-up for lost time. Though, surely, it's due to how deeply your skillful knack knows how to grab hold and connect.

Thank you, Dear Chris, ever-so sincerely and gratefully, for gifting us the pleasure.
I really need to drop by more often! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Richard, you have certainly spent some time on this lengthy review of an older piece of poetry. I sincerely thank you for all that attention. Pleased for your visit and that you enjoyed the verses. Many thank yous.

Chris

[Richard🖌]

Aw,
T'weren't nuthin'! 😏
Don't you know that good poetry never grows old?

[Chris Shaw]

I'll have to remember that one :)) Thank you.

[Richard🖌]

Humbly yours...

[grimfukle]

As a long ago scoundrel once said to himself, "What the hell was I thinking".
Great read from a lady's perspective.

[Chris Shaw]

Good to see you, you naughty scoundrel. Isn't that a great word. Yes, definitely from a woman's perspective.

Chris

[grimfukle]

Warrior. Poet. Scoundrel.
Sounds like a great title for an autobiography.

[Chris Shaw]

It sure does. Try it in poetical format :))

[An owl on the moon]

Reading these powerfully moving, tragic thoughts... all seems to come undone as they move toward the inevitable end. How deeply sad when love dies, and here we feel it, the life of it, slowly walking away. And there, in the ending, that is the true sorrow... to never wish to love again. :(

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for calling on my page. Good to see you hear. Yes at that point of time, you don't want to contemplate love again, but you know, time is a great healer and all things pass :))

Chris

[An owl on the moon]

Ah, yes, we can all be thankful for time, for the healing it can bring. Wishing you a very happy Friday, dear poet. :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much and the same to you. I have just visited your page. Your poetry is wonderful.

[An owl on the moon]

I appreciate your kindness so much. I've been at the Cafe over ten years now. Hard to believe. Glad you are here too. :)

[Chris Shaw]

Me a newbie, only a few months. Must be a good place. So many here have been here a decade or so. That says much and thank you also for your welcome.

[augustus]

Trust has to be earned and in your poem it is plain to see that doubt also exists. A good poem and thank you.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you augustus. Pleased to meet you. I appreciate your response and your visit.

Chris

[Simba]

Trust is so important but to be hurt like this can be deverstating in other rationships in life break down that Wal there is someone out there who is worthy

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you simba. Pleased to meet you and thank you for calling on my page. I appreciate your visit and your response.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this poem is a perfect portrait of a past love of mine...we broke down some of the walls, but the trust had been taken away from her forever...i could not restore it...try as i may.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jacob. Sorry if this was a reminder of something painful. Sometimes that trust can't be repaired.

Chris

[sette]

nicely written as always... very realistic and poignant a lot of people had shied away from love because of something hurtful in the past but then sometimes we think that it is worth another try so be it

[Chris Shaw]

Hello settle. Good to see you and thank you for your words. Much wisdom in them. Hope all is OK in your world.

Chris

[bigfootprint]

You inspire us all, Chris. Your writing tells me you are a beacon of faith and forgiveness. You give us a delightful peek through the eyes of a warm, loving heart, protecting itself by shutting out, never striking back. We can speak to betrayals, and I for one struggle to atone for unintended consequences. At least with age, the pile-up of infractions slows a bit, allowing me to catch up at vespers time. "Once Bitten" amplifies simple elegance into a subjective yet profound vision that speaks of wisdom and charm. Are you an angel?

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Doug. How very kind you have been with your review and I thank you sincerely. Am I an angel? No dear sir, not at all. Just a poet. I very much appreciate your visit.

Chris

[barleygirl]

I love the title & your poem tells this story perfectly. I was bitten about 150 times & finally I became shy too. But it's never as intense as that first love, as your poem seems to suggest, & how you still believe in "happy ever after" & all that. You've stepped into an innocent's shoes to show us how it feels to be crushed that first time (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Margie. First love, all those hopes and dreams shattered. Difficult to comprehend at that time. There had never been a divorce in my family and I can remember feeling quite ashamed about it. How times change.

Fondest

Chris

[barleygirl]

Yes, I do remember when being divorced was something shameful . . . shamed the whole family!