Choices 

by Mary McCarthy

  

I found some things called love 

were best avoided 

like the sweet faced liar 

who robs you blind 

and leaves you behind 

disposable 

as a used tissue 

or the one you pick up 

like a bad rash 

that blisters and torments 

and never heals 

or the handsome stranger 

who puts his mark on you 

deep and obvious 

as a cattle brand 

  

I would not be caught by love 

in crooked definitions 

not kept in a closed room 

or on a short leash 

not loved in teaspoons 

or inch by inch 

not with a blueprint                     

or by the book 

not with requirements 

to recite a catechism 

or rehearse a script 

but wait for you to come to me 

freely 

with an open hand 

and no great expectations 

I would be perfection 

or carry your salvation 

or do more than meet you here 

in the open 

where we both can stand 

* * * * *

Mary McCarthy has always been a writer but spent most of her working life as a Registered Nurse. Her work has appeared in many print and online journals, including Third Wednesday, Earth's Daughters, the Ekphrastic Review, and Verse Virtual. Her electronic chapbook, Things I Was Told Not to Think About, is available as a free download from Praxis magazine.