Once Bitten Twice Shy

Once Bitten Twice Shy

A Poem by Chris Shaw
"

An oldie gasping for an airing

"
Through blinkered eyes she gave to him
her love both pure and true,
and on his shoulders trust she placed
for all that he might do.

As promises are made to keep
and he had sworn a pledge,
she never thought his faithlessness
would drive her to the edge.

Nor did she question any lies,
assuming he was ill.
So harder still, she tried to please,
yet warmth reduced to chill.

Then came the day he stayed away,
the turning of the screw.
She searched for answers one by one,
she found them clue by clue.

Left on her own within their home,
rejected full of pain,
she rummaged in her memories
for reasons though in vain.

The days passed by, the seasons changed
she lived with disbelief
and knew that she would trust no more
for fear of further grief.

© 2018 Chris Shaw


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Featured Review

Superbly written Christine. It may just be the3 way I am reading this, but the flow of it overall is uplifting, even whimsical, which plays against the subject of the piece, broken trust.
I think most, if not all can relate to this, the feeling of devastation, caused by someone we loved of all people. I don't know if it is universal, but to me that is the ultimate betrayal, to have everything you gave thrown back in your face, by someone we didn't even resalise was wearing a mask in the first place. These are the hardest of all to get over, in my humble opinion. Hopefully the day came that they realised that it is not their fault, to be conned by a fraudster, who will do it again and again, until karma bites his or her a*s....Or someone does it to them and shows them first hand the devastation they have caused. We can hope at least :)

Posted 6 Years Ago


2 of 2 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

6 Years Ago

An old write Lorry, but betrayal of this nature is very hard to forget. As you say the trust is comp.. read more
θεά 

6 Years Ago

Agree with Lorry's and your comments on this.

Sorry, it is a theme one can only relat.. read more



Reviews

Oh my goodness. I feel the pain in this poem that is so nicely written. It is so difficult to believe they lie or are unfaithful and, we do search to find the clues when we never suspected. Makes it very difficult to trust. Painfully good read, Chris. Thanks for sharing.....I think. :)) Temp

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

Thanks Temp. Yes painful at the time, but a long time ago. Everything softens with the passing of ti.. read more
Temperance

2 Years Ago

Thank you and you’re welcome.
Ahhh, Chris 🌾

There's nothing like a fetching title atop a well-struck Ballad, rendered by a seasoned pen, to draw readers into your moment and hold 'em captive from first to final word … and, this excellently struck piece is an exemplary example of all that, and even more in rich, appealing poetical devices.
Not only have you followed a perfect 8/6/8/6 Ballad count in an a-b-c-b, d-e-f-e, etc; rhyme scheme, you've taken metaphor, emotion, the language of syntax, poetic voice, and blended it all ever-so cleverly into your ink in such a way it virtually dances before us upon the page.
From your earliest days at the Café I've admired and respected the many ways your creative mind, heart, and soul conspire to bless us with sigh-worthy poetry.
In these six verses of "Once Bitten Twice Shy", you take us on a lover's journey from young, beautifully trusting, naïve damsel, through each transitory moment into a scorned and love jaded skeptic … oh, how sadly true your tale of woe rings, but she will know farrr wiser now about what to look for in a lover and what to avoid.
Love can be a tough arbiter, but if we're alert, we soon enough learn to listen and steer clear of repeating our mistakes; as your titles so eloquently stipulates!
Well, I did get swept away … perhaps, it's been so long since I've reviewed for you and I'm making-up for lost time. Though, surely, it's due to how deeply your skillful knack knows how to grab hold and connect.

Thank you, Dear Chris, ever-so sincerely and gratefully, for gifting us the pleasure.
I really need to drop by more often! ⁓ Richard🖌

Posted 2 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Richard🖌

2 Years Ago

Aw,
T'weren't nuthin'! 😏
Don't you know that good poetry never grows old?
Chris Shaw

2 Years Ago

I'll have to remember that one :)) Thank you.
Richard🖌

2 Years Ago

Humbly yours...
As a long ago scoundrel once said to himself, "What the hell was I thinking".
Great read from a lady's perspective.

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

6 Years Ago

Good to see you, you naughty scoundrel. Isn't that a great word. Yes, definitely from a woman's pers.. read more
grimfukle

6 Years Ago

Warrior. Poet. Scoundrel.
Sounds like a great title for an autobiography.
Chris Shaw

6 Years Ago

It sure does. Try it in poetical format :))
Reading these powerfully moving, tragic thoughts... all seems to come undone as they move toward the inevitable end. How deeply sad when love dies, and here we feel it, the life of it, slowly walking away. And there, in the ending, that is the true sorrow... to never wish to love again. :(

Posted 6 Years Ago


2 of 2 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

6 Years Ago

Thank you so much and the same to you. I have just visited your page. Your poetry is wonderful.
An owl on the moon

6 Years Ago

I appreciate your kindness so much. I've been at the Cafe over ten years now. Hard to believe. Glad .. read more
Chris Shaw

6 Years Ago

Me a newbie, only a few months. Must be a good place. So many here have been here a decade or so. Th.. read more
Trust has to be earned and in your poem it is plain to see that doubt also exists. A good poem and thank you.

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

6 Years Ago

Thank you augustus. Pleased to meet you. I appreciate your response and your visit.

C.. read more
Trust is so important but to be hurt like this can be deverstating in other rationships in life break down that Wal there is someone out there who is worthy

Posted 6 Years Ago


Chris Shaw

6 Years Ago

Thank you simba. Pleased to meet you and thank you for calling on my page. I appreciate your visit a.. read more
this poem is a perfect portrait of a past love of mine...we broke down some of the walls, but the trust had been taken away from her forever...i could not restore it...try as i may.

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

6 Years Ago

Thank you Jacob. Sorry if this was a reminder of something painful. Sometimes that trust can't be re.. read more
nicely written as always... very realistic and poignant a lot of people had shied away from love because of something hurtful in the past but then sometimes we think that it is worth another try so be it

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

6 Years Ago

Hello settle. Good to see you and thank you for your words. Much wisdom in them. Hope all is OK in y.. read more
You inspire us all, Chris. Your writing tells me you are a beacon of faith and forgiveness. You give us a delightful peek through the eyes of a warm, loving heart, protecting itself by shutting out, never striking back. We can speak to betrayals, and I for one struggle to atone for unintended consequences. At least with age, the pile-up of infractions slows a bit, allowing me to catch up at vespers time. "Once Bitten" amplifies simple elegance into a subjective yet profound vision that speaks of wisdom and charm. Are you an angel?

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

6 Years Ago

Hello Doug. How very kind you have been with your review and I thank you sincerely. Am I an angel? .. read more
I love the title & your poem tells this story perfectly. I was bitten about 150 times & finally I became shy too. But it's never as intense as that first love, as your poem seems to suggest, & how you still believe in "happy ever after" & all that. You've stepped into an innocent's shoes to show us how it feels to be crushed that first time (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

6 Years Ago

Thank you Margie. First love, all those hopes and dreams shattered. Difficult to comprehend at that .. read more
barleygirl

6 Years Ago

Yes, I do remember when being divorced was something shameful . . . shamed the whole family!

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Added on September 10, 2018
Last Updated on September 10, 2018

Author

Chris Shaw
Chris Shaw

Berkshire, United Kingdom



About
Albert, my paternal grandfather introduced me to Tennyson when I was nine. I have loved poetry ever since but did not attempt writing a single piece until I was 40. It's never too late to try somethin.. more..

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