Dark Lady Poetry - Edward O’Dwyer

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Edward O'Dwyer

Femme Fatale

She came strutting over so boldly,

tapped him on his shoulder,

said she’d been watching all night

and asked if he’d like to dance.

“Sorry,” he said, “I’m seeing someone,”

but she just said “don’t worry,

I can keep a secret,”

her face one big seductive smile.

“Come on, let’s have a dance.”

“You don’t understand,” he resisted –

“It’s serious. We’re in love.”

At this she fixed him in such a stare,

unblinking mascara eyes.

“What’s her name?” she asked.

“Life,” he answered.

“Ah yes,” said she – “I know of her.

“But still,” she went on,

“I should probably warn you,

I can be persistent

once I know what I want.

And I’ll always get it, sooner or later.

Just wait and see –

I’ll have you.

“I’ll be there some night

when you’ve had a big row,

and you’ll be alone. You’ll turn around

and there I’ll be,

and it’ll happen, you’ll see.

“I’ve met many like you.

You’re no different,

and you wouldn’t admit it, I know,

but you don’t need to;

I can see it clear as day,

what you’re thinking now –

that I’m much prettier than she is.”

Dark

Though you may know me

as his bitter, resentful brother

yet I only fall

and always do so gently,

never with force,

on all those things and in all those places

he is so suddenly leaving,

taking back

his gifts of radiance, patina and lustre

and heading off beyond horizons

to where you cannot follow,

and so

though you may know me

as his bitter, resentful brother

yet I fall like consolation,

so gently

and always without force,

on all those things and in all those places

he once was

but is no more,

and here I will stay - with you -

being what I am

and sorry this is all I know how to be,

until his shining face

rises apologetically over the hills

and it’s time I go, and

though still you may know me

as his bitter, resentful brother.

Edward O’Dwyer, 25, is from Limerick, Ireland, and is associated with the White House Poets. Graduated from University of Limerick and University College, Cork, he is a secondary school teacher of English and History. He is previously published in Poetry Ireland Review, THE SHOp, Southword, Crannóg, Revival, The Stony Thursday Book, Boyne Berries, Five Words, Agenda (UK), The Journal (UK), Tinteán (Australia), and Census: the Seven Towers Anthology. His work also features in the chapbook Revival Trio (Revival Press).