How differently a man loves a woman
Than a woman loves a man
He loves her for her charm and beauty
Not her wit and brevity
He loves her for her flirting and fawning
And her everlasting need to be a belonging
He loves her for her curves and skin
Not the soul concealed within
He loves her for her mythical virginity
And when it’s gone, scorns her impurity
He devours her as she embraces him
Chastising her sin, but reveling in his
How differently a man loves a woman
Than a woman loves a man
A double standard:
God-ordained, mankind sustained.
(March 7, 2008)