Pretense and Innocence
Lipstick, cherry blossoms, premium wine Sweet smiles, crimson kisses, cruel to be kind Heartbreak in high heels, posh, and refined Perfume and cigarettes, clouding your mind Black lace, pouting lips, too good to be true Laughing eyes, trace her form, feel like a fool Queen of hearts, teasing quips, toying with you Passion games, cruel to win, but better to lose Red lips and politics, wasting your life Find yourself, turn around, madness is rife Pretense, common sense, true bliss is blind Heart and soul, conscience, make up your mind Spin a compass, which way do you choose Drive to Kiyomizu, late night for two Short skirts and malcontents, what can you do Buy a ring, make a wish, try to be true Pining, crimson kisses, how can you lose Queen of hearts, teasing quips, fooling with you Innocence, any sense, true love is blind Heart or soul, conscience, make up your mind Pretense and innocence, nothing is new Either way you turn, love'll cut you in two
Liner Notes
This poem was originally featured in Inclement Poetry Magazine, Autumn 2012. I wrote it in a style that was a complete departure from my typical poetry, which was a big challenge for me to write at the time. Its lyrical style also made it a fun word puzzle to piece together with a constant reworking of different variations. Sadly, none of my other published poems prior to 2010 have survived either digitally or in print. :(