Cocktail

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber 

Another new poem today, prompted by a nasty wave of 'spiking; in UK nightclubs. I have to confess, though, that while I struggle to write poems these days, it helps to clear my thought processes which years of hormone therapy for my prostate cancer has left damages, to say the least. Many thank, dear readers, for continuing to look in on my poem-posts.

Like most people, I am shocked and appalled by the current wave here in the UK of ‘spiking’ young women’s drinks in nightclubs or injecting them without their knowledge, thereby putting them at risk on what was intended to be a good, safe night out with friends. A well as being a criminal assault, it is also a betrayal of trust; every woman has the right to expect any nightclub to provide a secure environment. Clearly, security at the door needs to be tightened as well as any perpetrators who are caught given a sentence to match the severity of the crime. 

Sadly, the betrayal of trust happens all too often in life. While it is true - as with ‘spiking’ - that some perpetrators may be mentally ill and need help, all too often it is done with well thought out intent. Victims ,though, must never blame themselves .but find the strength of character to put the assault on their person behind them; easier said than done, but the ability of the human spirit to rise above, and thereby get the better of dark forces, should never be underestimated. 

It is perhaps worth bearing in mind that any betrayal is likely to haunt the perpetrator all their lives, especially in later years as, looking back on life (as we all do from time to time) it invariably sticks out like the proverbial sore thumb. 

“Betrayal is the only truth that sticks.” - Arthur Miller

COCKTAIL 

You will take your time
to know me, as is the human way
until your instincts
place me above and beyond
any random suspicion 

You will give me your heart,
close in on me as if we were meant
to be so from the start,
answer to everyday prayers,
killing off worst fears 

We’ll share mind-body-spirit,
no less a captive of the world’s pain,
for its being bearable
in so far as meeting it head-on,
together, not alone 

I am your comfort, your crutch;
though the world would break us up
into insignificant pieces,
we shall rise above, win through,
just for staying true. 

Yet, no one is entirely immune
to worldly temptations likely to fuel
even worthy ambitions,
feed us mixed emotions, a cocktail
of lively suspicions 

Needs must, as the world’s devils
seek to harry us, convince and drive
any random one of us
to break with principles and honesty,
betray our humanity 

So, what of commitments made
to each other, daring we look mentors
in the eye, one of us at least
having sold them down the river, lost
their goodwill forever? 

Second chances are rare enough
in a world where people are seen to be
as good as their word;
for whomsoever breaks faith with me
the sentence will be just 

Betray me, and you may well lose
everything and everyone you hold dear,
for I am called Trust,
nor think me some second-rate life force,
who am first among equals 

Copyright R. N. Taber 2021