I’d Hate To Think That Way

I once had a colleague

We worked together 

On a project 

Years ago

She smiled a lot

As I recall

And gave the impression

Of fascination

With all that I said and did

I had no personal interest -

Our relationship was strictly business -

But I have to admit

That her enthusiasm was 

Most endearing

When I saw her again

About a year later 

I was shocked

Emotionally she seemed

Like a different person

Cold and distant

Aloof and resistant

Now

Nothing I said

Sparked any interest

At all

Her expression seemed pained

And quickly betrayed

That she found me

To be

An insufferable bore

What happened?

I’m not sure...

What could possibly explain

This remarkable change

In a person 

Who once seemed so pleasant?

I doubt that

I’ll ever know

The truth

But this much she told me

For what it’s worth:

In the time 

Since I had last seen her

She had been married

What do you think?

Is it unfair

To infer

That her warmth

Was simply a ruse?

Her interest

And her enthusiasm

Were tricks

In a well-crafted illusion

A predetermined calculation

Aimed at attracting 

A husband?

I hate to think that

I do

I do

I hate to think that

I do

And now 

With this objective met

There was no need to pretend

Or posture anymore

And I

As a single man

Was no longer of use to her

Oh, I hate to think that

I honestly do

Because I wouldn’t treat others

That way

So unapologetically crude

So selfish

And blatantly dishonest

It disturbs me to think

That anyone could actually

Act this way

Let alone someone I knew

Someone I respected 

And yet

What else is there to conclude?

Some people do

What they have to do

To get the things

That they want

And if we don’t realize

And don’t understand

Even if we’re duped

Into believing what’s not true

In the end

We’re better off

For not thinking 

As they do

Copyright © 2018 Daniel R. South 

All Rights Reserved