Poet Mistress

Stranger Love

How can you say you love me and then just leave?
A stranger that is stranger than I am
Going back to the most liveable city!

You love the Midwestern spirit
    Families that love each other
    Friends, Old Soldiers and Sailors Reunions
    Friendly neighbors saying "Hi" on Main Street
    Neighborly strangers helping you change your tire.

You love caring about others
    The joy of doing for others
    Giving to others, expecting honesty.

When I was in LA, at Kabbalah Center
    It was taught, a new and innovative concept,
    Selflessness, thinking of others for once.
As if I hadn't grown up with that every day of my life.
    I don't know how to do otherwise.
    I'm still learning how to put my own oxygen mask on first.

So, just say you love me and leave
Stranger love is no stranger than no love.

Why don't you love me? (with apologies to Elizabeth Barrett Browning)

Why don't you love me?
Let me count the ways,
I snore.
I read Dave Barry
in the middle of the night
and laugh out loud.
I'm way too messy for you.
I get up too early, or sleep too late.
I only cook on Sundays.
I'm too old and too young for you.
I hate chasing the hair and dust bunnies under the furniture.
My Jack Russell terrier sleeps under the covers with me.
I dance and sing for no reason.
I love being upside down...who could put up with that?

Give me a minute, I can think of something else.