The Virtues of Bayer©

A Poem by Lethe

Because sometimes, second best is better.

You make it hurt to laugh sometimes
       after you punch my brains out
                and my temples are ringing
                       with the only thing left in my head:
                               your voice�" the perfect migraine�"

                       Wait, you didn't.
                You didn't touch me like that
       but I wait (for you to see)

And you didn't.

Only, you did touch me like that
         when you cupped my waist,
                   you said you were with me and
                          you shoved him against the bar, then
                   you got a bloody nose because
         you didn't think he was good enough for me

And when you kissed me at my birthday dinner
                 you booked for two,
                        you said people don't see
                               what's in front of their faces sometimes, and
      you're sorry if I don't feel the same but
                  you think it could work, so
                         you took my hand

                        To lay in William's.

                  I didn't think he was good enough
      and you make it hurt to laugh sometimes

                                Just like now, when you
                     just called me your #1 girl
                 just before Jenny pouts and kisses you
just until I have to look away�"

All I can see is green (like your eyes)
       and it probably won't be long before
              I look around for William,
                         past the freckles on his nose
                                  into warm brown depths
    (and shiver more)
               and lay my hand in his.

               It's wrong so wrong so wrong
    (you'll say you were right all along)

But it probably won't be long before
                           I'm lying next to him
                    and to myself
      about how #1 doesn't matter
(if second best is better)

At least I think it could work
             because Jenny's nails are a shade of bubblegum I'd never chew, let alone wear,
                          because I want to give you a bloody nose
    (because you just said I was more like a sister)

                   And you laugh you laugh you laugh...

                   And it probably won't be long before
    I stop counting the gold flecks in your eyes,
                          because maybe second best is better
             because you, love, are a migraine�"
and I could really use an aspirin.