Good Boys

She noticed me
She smiled at me
She came to like me
Me – just me, ordinary, unconfident, polite – me
I made her laugh
Her beautiful laugh, behind her beautiful smile
Rich reward, filling my soul
She made me feel like somebody
And she was gentle, and kind
She was open and aware
She seemed adorned in innocence and honesty
Like she did not belong to this world
She said I was the nicest boy she had met
That she could trust me
That she could be open with me
That she had always yearned to meet someone like me
After the bad boys of the past
Had finished with her
I was taught to be a good boy
All my life it had meant nothing
I had been overlooked
I was not loud enough
Was not pushy enough
But now, my humility was rewarded
The most lovely person held my hand
Leaned upon me
Kissed my lips
Shared her innermost thoughts with only me
So good boys can win
Can be happy
I thought
But life is not so kind
And human nature not so loyal
From the past, shadows appear
Strangers who are determined
The hungry wolves
Back from their indifferent conquests
She was back on their horizon
Slick words and strong voice
Flattery and pampering
Pride and pressure
Until a hammer shatters my dreams
The thought of her, in his arms
Bending to his selfish will
Coaxed, coerced, persuaded
She lets the good boy go
And once more follows the charms of the bad boy
Until, once more, he has had his fill
And discards the shattered form
She needs my arms once more
She needs my words of comfort
For a short while, she needs the good boy
Until the wolf howls again