• 'You've received a special gift!'
    My lover, I thought--
    Opening the message
    Filled with a small and secret delight.
    But from no such person--
    An anonymous benefactor.
    "You are not his one and only
    You are only one of many.
    He has never loved you."
    Smile falling, strings cut
    like a puppet dashed to splinters
    on stage.
    Fury--liar!--disbelief.
    A year ago
    I would have never
    given it a second thought--
    Simply laughed,
    and thanked you for your gift.
    I would have gone to him
    kissed the corners of his lips
    Pressed my cold hands
    against his warm heart.