delicate ice princess
long legs waiting
for the right moment
to go into the ladies room.
salivating men at the bar
stare at the sleek beauty in the black dress
who self-consciously turns away.
her five second walk an eternity
replayed in slow motion in my mind
capturing every undulating curve
knowing men like me are bit players
in her sold out theatre of cruelty.
even when the ice princess trips
she is as graceful as the most beautiful swan
a sure sign that her type has killed and maimed more men
than all the wars fought in the name of democracy.
like a reformed junkie
I resist the temptation by turning away
aware I am a sucker for beautiful blondes
with hemorrhoids and migraine headaches
sure signs of a woman
with an executive position and a tortured soul.
too late
a whiff of perfume
a glance at her cascading blonde hair
makes me another casualty of the killing fields.
camera goes black
ice princess disappears behind ladies room door
image of the blonde goddess squatting on a toilet
rapid fire cinematic shots of her wiping herself
makes her more human less goddess in my eyes.
I am now hunter caveman
ice princess is my prey
camouflage carefully scripted indifference
I silently mouth the words “I love you.”
quickly turn away
ice princess gestures toward me
I ignore her.
confused she asks” Don’t you have anything to say?”
I capture her by saying “I’m not into small talk.”
living together in three months
ice princess turns to clay born of insecurity.
harangues me weekly
claims she was not valued for herself
but only as prize to be captured:
the years pass
I beg her to stop
she can’t
our relationship
the last casualty
of the killing fields.