Delilah

'And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he hath shewed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought money in their hand'- Judges 16:18

You’re not the sort of girl I’d stake my life on,

and I know that you could never call it trust.

We know, my love, we know the foregone outcome—

we breathe it in; we even found it fun,

those daily games of glib betrayals and lust.

You’re not the sort of girl I’d stake my life on—

but I was young and lost and needed someone.

This heart is yours so take it if you must.

We know, my love, we know the foregone outcome—

and maybe we both needed them to come

to lay my broken body in the dust.

You’re not the sort of girl I’d stake my life on—

but who can wait to stake on sure foundations

when your sullen smile means more to me than trust.

We know, my love, we know the foregone outcome—

and I longed for it. My hands stung by the stone

that shakes and breaks and blisters at my touch.

You’re not the sort of girl I’d stake my life on.

We know, my love, we know the foregone outcome—

this heart is yours so take it if you must.

And here's a reading of this revised version, in my best approximation of a weepy Ben Wishaw voice:

New Year

A midnight vigil at the fireworks.

A squealing New Year’s promise. Hope it’s true.

But each year starts and ends just like the first.

At dreaming dinner each would help to nurse

Delusions; drunk on promises right through

To midnight vigil at the fireworks.

A year’s extension for dream’s deadline. Cursed

Be those that boast they’ll see their fancies through

When each year starts and ends just like the first.

Dying December lavishly will burst.

The sky will shatter. Yet it’s nothing new

This midnight vigil at the fireworks

Drink yourself silly; feels like you've rehearsed

Your stumbling steps; yet still deny it’s true

That each year starts and ends just like the first.

Each second will divide our time on Earth

As sharply as the last. Is each day due

A midnight vigil at the fireworks?

Still- each year starts and ends just like the first.