Of Lost Bets Poem by Nika McGuin

Dating, it's only fun
when it goes well.
Otherwise, it is me acknowledging
that there are some differences
about men that I must accept.
I must accept that most of them
just want to have sex - and that for my own good
I should continue to deny them
the one thing that they want
for as long as possible -
long enough to convince them
that having me too
would be an even better outcome.

I acknowledge my role
in the tireless cat and mouse game.
This sacrificial tango
the sort that never ends.
During which a woman's
beauty, time, and body
are all up for grabs,
are all at risk of desecration,
are all betted in a last-ditch gamble
to be loved.

And by the end of the dance,
she may have lost so much.
Whereas her partner may dance away
unscathed, having palated her last drop of honey
on his serpentine tongue - having gotten all he wanted!
Having feasted on diamonds, pearls, and rubies
all the while being ignorant as to their worth.

He may cha-cha and side-shuffle away!
having lost nothing.
He is, a professional gambler after all
one who has the jackpot timed.
He'll never understand what it means
to lose to him.