It took all the strength they knew not to consume you
& was all that I could muster just to kiss you
Watch my waist for days to take this place beside you
Like the way the one who loves you is supposed to
The way you used to
Did you forget?
When all who'd soon surpa** me sought respect?
The press still hung on every envied breath
& could you blame them?
We both said things that we'd come to regret:
"Here comes success"
"You cash the checks"
You take my name
& braved it with this patience of the saints
I flirted with a fame which never came
Did doubts dissuade you?
Took pains to say "Let nature have her way"
& of course she did
& you bore the kid
These pangs of pride
As every eye moves on to you
& though you quiet every room
It's sometimes hard to hear the truth
& sighs aside
The way the limelights long for you
They shine there colors on me, too
& now there's nothing I can do
What child is this?
The heir to my elusive parentage?
That face of his could take him far from this
But I'm still childless
& neither knows just who the father is
The rabbit's dead
Was she easily led?
You've made your name
& trouble loves the cuckold of acclaim
These kids can't sense the difference either way
& can you blame them?
When all my memories now bear your name
Sure, we've been blessed
Well... more or less
These pangs of pride
As every eye collides with you
& though you quiet every room
It's always hard to hear the truth
& sighs aside
The way the limelight smothers you
They cast their colors on me too
Now they'll remember me through you
Does this amuse you?
Am I supposed to?
It wasn't meant to
Pay your respects
It's grand I guess to treat this like a d**h
Though now somehow less readily erect
I might surprise you
& rise to the occasion now again
Flesh of my flesh
Don't hold your breath
Is life unkind?
Well pride resolves of all things in due time
But who contrives this legacy I leave behind
To those born after?
Obliged to let the master think she's right
Oh, long suffering wife
Hell or high-tide
I'm by your side
It was all that they could do not to consume you
& was all that I could muster just to k** you
Watched my waist for fifteen days to stand beside you
Like the way the one who loves you is supposed to
I have my use, too