Each man had his addiction.
Bluebeard collected, then dispatched
an entire harem of brides.
Henry VIII craved serial mistresses.
Once romance faded, had them beheaded.
Don Juan was a legendary libertine,
seduced ladies two and three at a time.
Camille’s lovers had their own obsessions.
One marked his territory by branding her
in tender places with love bites and bruises.
Another couldn’t get erect unless picturing
sex between her and his favorite pinups.
The last preferred alcohol over commitment.
Some ignored intelligence, cherished
only breasts, cunt and ass.
Others tried their best to keep her
a child, emotionally stunted.
None wanted an articulate,
lusty, functional woman.
They were men who needed,
grabbed what they wanted,
never delivered.
Jennifer Lagier has published nine poetry books and in multiple literary magazines. She taught with California Poets in the Schools and is now a retired college librarian/instructor, member of the Italian American Writers Association, co-edits the Homestead Review, helps coordinate monthly Monterey Bay Poetry Consortium Second Sunday readings. Website: http://jlagier.net
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