No Clemency

I dredge up all you’ve done,
An army to surround the piece of me
That remembers when you called
Me gorgeous and meant it. Oh
How you meant it
That night on the Bowery
Stumbling on slick sidewalks
Toward a party.
Later you presented me
To your dangerous friend in the Peruvian hat
As if I were Helen,
Or Guinevere or Juliet.
There was snow in your hair
And your glasses were wet.
I knew you would kiss me in the elevator.
I linger a little
Before giving the go-ahead.
I’m only human after all.
The prisoner’s diaphanous skirt
Flutters in the wind.
She’s lovely, but she’s got to go.
I know the enemy when I see it,
And after ten long years
I know where my duty lies.