Summary: A poem about what can happen when a man’s pride gets in the way of love. If the subject is a Cartwright, it’s bound to be Adam.
Rating: T (400 words)
PRIDE BEFORE A FALL
The music played a song he’d heard so many times before;
He watched her dance and longed to be that man out on the floor.
No one guessed as she floated in the arms of someone else;
They’d never know — he could keep a secret even from himself.
The pretty redhead by his side hung on his every word,
But all that he could give her wasn’t half what she deserved.
It wasn’t fair…
Across the room she watched him kiss her cheek and say goodnight;
She saw the disappointment in the other woman’s eyes.
He left alone with a single glass and a bottle in his hand.
She wondered why; there were some things she just didn’t understand.
She offered an apology to her partner at the dance.
There was someone else she had to see — it might be her last chance.
She had to know…
He locked the door and poured a drink to drown her memory,
At least tonight; He closed his eyes and tried hard not to see.
For so long he’d been careful not to let his feelings show;
He raised his glass and cursed the love that would not let him go.
To be the man he had to be each day he walked through fire,
And every night he lost that fight to whiskey and desire
And came undone…
Tonight in dreams he’d be her only lover;
Tomorrow she’d be someone else’s wife.
And even if someday he held another,
His heart belonged to her for all his life.
He heard his name, stumbled to the door and turned the key,
His breath stopped by the vision that just walked out of his dream.
Somehow she knew, what all these years he’d tried so hard to hide.
Now face to face his love for her was stronger than his pride
Hearts unguarded, they both stared, each measuring the cost.
He watched her eyes fill up with tears and knew that he was lost,
Lost in her…
Though she had been promised to another,
If it was right or wrong he couldn’t tell.
But tonight he’d be her only lover –
Her name was on his lips as they both fell.
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The was a very interesting Adam Story. Poor Adam getting the worst of it. this time. Thanks Liked this story.
Thanks for reading this one, Hope. I appreciate you! 🙂
Oh my….poor tortured baby!
I guess there will always be an audience for a tortured Adam, lol. Thanks for reading, Jojay. 🙂
You told a lot of story in a small number of words. You could see his torture and then his surprise, and finally joy. Nicely done!
Poetry is great fun to write, but in spite of what some people think, it takes more than just a rhyming dictionary. Thank you for taking time to read and review, MissJudy. 🙂
Excellent!
Glad you approve, Neano! Thanks for reading. 🙂
He knows what’s right yet that misplaced love is eating him alive. His heart is given over to her and now….well at least for one night the rest of him follows. Whew!! Is it hot in here??
Well, I’m always hot so I figured it was just me. Eating him alive — I like your choice of words, AC1830. 😉 Thanks for reading!
Ooh yes, you said I’d see similarities and you’re right. A beautifully tortured Adam trying to do the right thing and almost destroying himself in his efforts to remain honourable. And then that inevitable fall from grace (although I was secretly willing him to fall anyway because – let’s face it – it makes everything so much more dangerous and interesting).
Love the passion and emotion concentrated into so few words. Brilliantly done.
Beautifully tortured Adam, yes. I’m reluctant to shoot him but don’t mind ripping his heart out and stomping it into a million pieces — how sick is that? 😉 I’m really glad you liked it, Inca. You and I have an understanding about our man in black. 🙂
Wow. Hose me down…and then dunk me in polar water just to make sure the steam stops rising.
Well, there’s Frenchman’s Creek — it’s glacier fed this time of year. Adam can direct you 😉 Sandspur, you always crack me up! Thanks for reading.
LOVED it! It would make a great story – please write it! I would love to see Adam’s cool and controlled demeanor crumble and watch him be powerless to do anything about it. 400 words is not enough!
It’s always the stoic ones that are the most fun to bring down, and he may well crumble. I know, I’m a tease. Adam tells me that all the time. There’s probably a story somewhere, someday… 😉 Thanks for reading, HA!
BWF, tomorrow it could all hit the fan… who knows? 😉 Thanks for reading.
Lucky her for the night, yet tomorrow….
Oh wow! Poor Adam.