Please allow me to disabuse you

Not a moment too soon must I disabuse you

But first you must help me with your delusion

That has caged your heart from every lover

Lost

Each rated admirer gained.

Too many chiefs and not enough Indians

Weeds amass to raze the plot of tall poppies

And it is I with my dazed love’s fury that

Found

Each sated servant ingrained.

Connoisseur of the pseudo-polite putdown

Deep-fried baloney buried under a hostile sauce

Your only love the nightcap pistol

Mourning

Each hated sonnet caned.

If the wind comes from an empty cave

It is not without reason

To pray you may betray the imposter

Within

Each slated poet retained.

Rest for a spell before the day’s end

Dream that victory depends on sweet loss

Howl at the fairweather voices and exhale

Without

Each bated breath feigned.

That winning smile has lost you for now

But the gift I pass can be yours forever

If only you will allow me to disabuse you

Release

Each fated hostage detained.