Bedswerver

A Bedswerver is an unfaithful lover

Bedswerver

 

Did you love me so my prince

Are all my hours recompense

Do broken pieces make a whole

Can music save your mortal soul

 

Did you love me so my lord

Were all our thoughts in one accord

Do I trust your every word

Can time wash clean a sound not heard

 

Did you love me so my Sir

Are you on fire inside the earth

Do you still hear a lover’s call

Can you say you were here at all

 

You did not love me so I know

Your knotted strings have cursed us both

You left me here with nothing true

I cannot stand the thought of you

 

-Zoe Richardson 

Author's Note

You are all awesome, and deserve a raise!

Reviews

[Vertigo Cat1111]

This is a breathtaking piece- just absolutely wow with some of that bittersweetness. The last line is haunting, and so, so powerful. It ties the whole poem to and adds that extra punch of anger, making the reader feel that bitterness. It’s an entirely powerful and palpable poem, that I’ll definitely reread. Thank you so much for sharing!

[Zoe Richardson]

Thank you for reading! I am so glad you liked it and will stop by for more. I wrote this in the midst of grief, and there was just no other way to express the bitterness of losing someone who betrayed his promises.

[keith]

'Your knotted strings have cursed us both'
BINGO! you express yourself you do ... words are the tool we use to navigate the emotions we often find ourselves victims of.
your pen does you good!

[Fabian G. Franklin]

The dirty bedswerver! It sounds like a Scot curse! (laughing) I enjoyed this. It had a Victorian feel about it as I envisioned a lady in a ballroom gown with her knickers in a knot. So enjoyable!

[Zoe Richardson]

It's actually a Shakespearean word, although perhaps the Scots used it, too. I wrote this about my late husband, who proved to be the inconstant sort. I love the word, though. Shame it went out of fashion!

[Gee]

Gotta say we ain't the most honest, trustworthy types, us men. I, in my youth, would say, do anything to get a woman to give herself up. Now as a father to a daughter I would gladly go apologise for being such a prick to those women hurt.
YOU are awesome an deserve a raise and a bonus :))

[Zoe Richardson]

I expected that from the men I dated. Not from the one I married. At least you realized the error of your ways. Some never do! I am so glad enjoyed this, and that you cherish your daughter!

[Chris Shaw]

This piece bleeds the bitterness that comes when betrayal strikes. Yes, all those questions you ask, and each one generates more hurt, more pain and more wretchedness. When trust is broken it sucks. Plain and simple, you can't think of anything else because the grief is so raw. Excellent poetry Zoe.

Chris

[Zoe Richardson]

Thank you, dear Chris. I am so pleased you get the meaning of this, that second phase of grief. If possible, I would have dug him up and killed him. Instead, I wrote a poem. It is always such a treat when you stop by, and I appreciate your thoughtful words!

[Chris Shaw]

You are more than welcome. Have a great day Zoe.

[emmajoy]

Your metre is inevitably academic yet gentle and, this poem is no exception Zoe. And yet, there's something about the words here, ' Did you love me so my Sir.. Are you on fire inside the earth.. Do you still hear a lover’s call.. Can you say you were here at all ' Did you mean to include the word 'my'? Is there an echo on a return flight at the end of these sad, sad memories. More than finely set.. thank you, Zoe. Take care, keep safe. Please

[Zoe Richardson]

I'm not a hundred percent sure what you are asking, but if you are wondering if I meant to use the words 'my Sir' instead of just 'sir', the answer is yes. This was written for my late husband, shortly after he passed away. There is a reference there to the dominant party in the relationship, not just to someone addressed as 'sir.' He abused that privilege, and hence the bitterness. If you are asking if I meant to use the word 'my' as in 'Do you still hear 'my' lover's call (instead of 'a lover's call) I will take that under advisement. It's quite a good idea! I thank you for the kind words and thoughtful comments. They mean a great deal!

[emmajoy]

Your words are near haunting because... well, your hurt is paramount.. yet.. that 'my' somehow seems.. a kindness taken from the past. Perhaps.
Please forgive me if that's too personal.

[Dylan Macadham]

I (darkly) enjoyed the contrast of your last verse, it's abrupt about-face, your overall elegant phrasing, your skillful rhyming, and your own-self's take on love's despair. ...relatable to everyone who has ever taken love's gamble.

[Zoe Richardson]

I read a book once, where a woman who was awaiting entrance into heaven found herself in a kitchen. When she asked why she was in a kitchen, she was told that most women, when they marry, think they are getting heaven but instead only end up in the kitchen. That, my friend, can make one bitter if they did not sign up for servitude! And so can the death of a cheating spouse. Thank you for your kind words and your thoughtful review! I appreciate both.

[Dave Brown]

My first intense love eventually dumped dull me me accusing that I was only interested in one thing
Truth was I really did love her but altho' that one thing didn't hurt, getting dumped did which possibly allows me to at least slightly relate

[Zoe Richardson]

I wish he'd been interested in that one thing. He only cared about music. And being miserable. I've never known anyone who could get so angry while playing music. Apparently, he didn't care much for vows or commitment, either. It's not easy to feel like you are in second place all the time, so bear that in mind when you remember your first love. Thank you for your kind words and for stopping by. You are always welcome!

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

Yeah man many pop stars and actors tend to be unfaithful. Your poem is sarcastic and hardhitting awesome on the hurt felt on realising you are being two timed. I have never experienced it yet but i know many who feel this way but can't express so well as you,. Kudos!

Plz do read and comment my newest poem too titled, "Dandy, randy Tom cat

[Zoe Richardson]

Count yourself blessed if those you love are faithful to their promises. The world is full of those that aren't. I appreciate your thoughtful words and for taking the time to read this. I hope you won't be a stranger!

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

Yes dear count me as a friend too, and indeed yes the world is full of love cheaters so you certainly aren't alone dear . So take care, move on and write on.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Well, for that fourth question, I think I will ask Don Maclean ....
I have had unfaithful lovers...and nothing hurts worse....I would rather just be told goodbye and then move on ....
and usually the result is not being able to stand the thought of the other.
intense writing here, Zoe,
j.

[Zoe Richardson]

Yeah, this one contains a lot of venom. My unfaithful husband had just passed away, leaving so many emotional fires in his wake. He was a musician and I think inconstancy is a disease with that particular breed. Lol.