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.

[Coyote Poetry]

Pain and regret can be our teacher. Also make us wiser. We learn to move slow and easy into love. I liked and understood the journey in your words. Thank you Christine for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

We do indeed learn by our mistakes Coyote. Thank you so much for reading and responding with such wisdom.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome dear Chris.

[Eve]

Beautifully written. One that too many people can relate to. We want to believe the lies and the covers even when we know the truth until there are no more lies to believe. It is a sad scene, but it is an inevitable one that everyone seems to have to go through. However, it seems that one can never be prepared for it when it happens. A very realistic piece, with not a happy ending, but one that can be believed. I really enjoyed reading your work, amazing job, well done.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Eve. I very much appreciate your visit to my page and your kind comments. Yes, unfortunately a theme, that many will be able to relate to. Hopefully they learn by their mistakes.

Chris

[Eve]

I like to think everything we go through teaches us something, or we grow with our problems.

[Dave]

What a horrid awakening it must be. To love and cherish someone so completely only to find that when you need them they are not there. You write strongly and passionately.

Take care - Dave

[Chris Shaw]

Unfortunately this is a theme that many will understand. Thank you Dave for giving my words your consideration.

Chris

[θεά]

Gosh Chris!

You have written an experience all too relatable. Driving the truth home, of how hapless a woman feels in the hands of a deceitful, vile person- in whom she had mistakenly placed her trust. How emotionally dependent one makes herself, when she succumbs to the lies and sweet false promises, only to be shaken by eventual disclosure of his falsehood.

Trust once shaken, is hard to refurbish. Perhaps rightly so.

But there are better people than such men, in whom you took pity, in whom you had faith even after your first gut instinct told you "his eyes are belying his avowed innocence", even after your friends had urged you to not consider such a lowly match, even after your well-wishers had asked you to not trust a man with a vicious, mean, deceptive streak.

Sometimes we give in to our compassion. Sometimes we take a while to wake up. But when we finally do, the journey to redemption is worth it.

Take care, Chris.

Best,
M.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Mallika, I thank you so much for such a thorough response, so thoughtfully given. When the wake up call came, she didn't make that mistake again. I've just noticed that rhymes (lol).

Chris

[Anand Sehgal]

Very well written and well expressed. Inner feelings have to come out with some amount honesty and your writing has that quality !
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[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Anand Sehgal for your thoughtful response. Much appreciated.

Chris

[Flowers of Eternity]

This is such a beautiful and at the same time, sad poem. It affected and moved my heart..
Wonderfully done!

[Chris Shaw]

It was a hard one to write, but I can read it now years later and it doesn't leave a mark on me. Thank you so much for your review.

Chris

[Flowers of Eternity]

No problem!

[DIVYA]

This happens and sadly there’s pretty little one can do about it. The worst part is that it tends to rob one’s faith in oneself, which for some is very hard to restore, for some, it’s almost impossible. Your words strike such a chord here, Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you DIVYA. So true what you are saying. I've known some who bounce back and others who remain wary for ever. That trust being broken, can't be restored. Hope you are feeling a little brighter my friend?

Chris

[DIVYA]

I’m still not out of the shadows totally but hopefully getting there. Thank you so much Chris! It’s a pleasure to read such fine poetry!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much and hopefully you will be feeling much better soon.

[Onlyme]

Now, this speaks loud. And says it all Chris. Wonderful write and expressed. A woman hurt and lied to. By a man she adored.

[Chris Shaw]

That just about sums it up Dawn. Thank you for responding. Have a good day.

Chris

[Onlyme]

And you Chris. Dawn.