He Seemed So Nice…

by Joan Leotta

Joy,
such joy.

Met a young man, through work,

could have been a second son of mine.

"Friended" him on Facebook.

Followed his story

of everyday triumphs;

best was his tale of

finding "love of his life."

Followed their story—

his telling charmed me—

so much love.

Then his beloved sent

a note revealing

that seeming son,

was in the thrall of drugs.

Betrayal had

framed his every action.

She was never "the beloved."

Words of love were illusions

spilled out into the ether.

Theft, cheating, abuse, had

daily slashed the shell

of their lives, shredded

the fabric of his many

sad small lies.

He was no son of mine

in truth or spirit,

yet, this loss

of who I thought he was

tears at me.

Sadness, anger

Such anger.