Deception by Joan McNerney

Traces of lace cover walkways.

Snow so white it almost blinds us.

You came with a spectacular glow.

I became awed by this splendor. 

Everyone was so captivated

by your charm, wit, words.

We wondered if the sun rose

and fell under that magic.

Pure white snow turns gray

from exhaust fumes.

Hardening on roadsides, icy

frost plunge cars into ditches.

Deceived by your wicked smile

and simmering blue eyes.

Tricked by razzmatazz.  Only mud

and freezing rain lies underneath.

Some thought the fault was mine.

How could this have happened?

There must be something else.

Something I have hidden away.

Caught in claw of memories now,

regretting the trust given to you.

But I will never be betrayed again

even if hell freezes over.

Joan McNerney’s poetry has been included in numerous literary magazines such as Seven Circle Press, Dinner with the Muse, Moonlight Dreamers of Yellow Haze, Blueline, and Halcyon Days.  Four Bright Hills Press Anthologies, several Poppy Road Review Journals, and numerous Kind of A Hurricane Press Publications have accepted her work.  Her latest title is Having Lunch with the Sky and she has four Best of the Net nominations.