Crossed Wires

We’d been together for eighteen months

So I thought there was plenty of time,

We hadn’t discussed betrothal then,

But there, that isn’t a crime.

We met whenever we could back then

In our busy working days,

While you showed plenty of love to me

And I, in various ways.

 

So when your letter popped through my door

On that Friday afternoon,

And you sped off with a stranger in

That red and black saloon,

I frowned to open the envelope

And to read what you had said:

‘I’m sorry Tommy, I’ve called it off,

I’m going to go with Fred!’

 

The news hit me like a thunderbolt

Hit right between the eyes,

I thought, ‘How long was this going on,

How long were you feeding me lies?’

I must confess I was weaker then

And I cried a tear or two,

But nothing compared to the flood of tears

That I thought were coming to you.

 

I went through the stage of ‘sad’, of course,

And ‘desolate’ followed fast,

I went through the stage of grieving that

I’d lost my love at the last,

But after a day or two of that

My pride had begun to cringe,

How could she be so cold to me,

My mind cried out ‘Revenge!’

 

When jealousy tugs at your coat tails

Just be sure that you get it right,

Many a time I’ve pondered this

When I’ve tossed and turned in the night,

I know I should have ignored it - ‘now’

But ‘now’ it has come too late,

I gave myself to a fury, and

My heart was riddled with hate.

 

I crept around to your flat one night

Got in through the laundry door,

There wasn’t a sign of you or him

You’d not been back, I was sure,

A brand new Magnum of cold Champagne

Was tucked away in your fridge,

For celebrating the fact that I

Had been the one that was ditched.

 

My seminal anger knew no bounds,

I carried the champagne home,

Put ant poison in a medical syringe

And injected it there, alone,

I’d dropped it back and was leaving when

His car rolled up at your door,

And you jumped out with a wave and a shout,

‘Hi, what are you looking for?’

 

‘I’ve just got back from the Marketing Fair,

It’s lovely to see you, Tom,

Sorry about the rush and all

But Fred was driving us down.

I know you offered, but Fred said no,

It was better I went with him,

I’m glad you’re here, it’s good to be home,

I think we’d better go in!’

 

She dropped her coat, and gave me a kiss,

And said: ‘Do you know the date?

Today is February 29

A woman can choose her mate.

And so I say, will you marry me,

I’ve waited this long to ask…’

I sat there stunned and my stomach churned

As she carefully filled my glass.

 

David Lewis Paget

 

 

 

 

Reviews

[Jazique]

For a second I thought I was lost but, wow you definitly got us. I mean I thought he might hurt them or cause a scene but, no she proposes to him. You led us down a path that made us believe it just another one of these but, at the end you turned us around leaving us in disbelief. Awesome or in better word you've left me breathless.

[Valentine]

Fantastic ending. You had me going for a while, thinking payback !!!! then wham. A neat write Mate..lol Kathie

[minisla]

That was a tad mind altering. Can imagine the thoughts running through his head. Great write. Had me on the edge of my seat but never saw the twist at the end coming.

[A Soap Mess Stories]

Another wonderful story. :-)

[Blue Ivory]

This is a poem with a story and it proceeds in an interesting way. I must say you are a truly talented writer! This was a very entertaining read!

[TL Boehm]

yes this is definitely a gotcha ending. You excel at those. And again the meter is wonderful throughout this poem.

[annie lee]

Wow -- another story that draws the reader in and then whacks away. This is gorgeous.

[Daisie Vergara (Dhaye)]

Until the end, he lose the game. He must be clever enough. Well anyway, sometimes heart controls the mind.
Brilliant work. :)

[Pure Hope]

oh lol.. your humour is not surprising, but I love it. Drink buddy, you deserve every drop.

[redflutterby]

Lol...oh what an ironic quandary. Drink and die or expose your devious crime!! What to do?? Love this one David! ;-)