I desire
to determine devil from deity
People don't act with dignity
and I can't distinguish dusk from dawn
in personality
I thought he needed me
Blinded by desperation
I'd decided to dive
deep down a dark pit of deception
when I thought he was good.
I denied the red flags
as he damaged my demeanor
each manipulative deed delving deeper
A dilemma pent up inside me--
do I double my efforts to care for him
and doom myself to destitution
or drop him?
Don't dwell on the disguise,
I told myself,
his charm is dwindling.
The dry bones of his deception
don't hold you.
Don't descend to darkness.
You let down a ladder
he elected not to climb;
It was his decision.