because they (stupid they) will always yearn for hope

can't live without, can't keep blood pumping

can't feed the tissues, oil the joints

dull endless greed of selfish flesh

always wanting to persist

indifferent to soul-suffering, sad hopeless need

and so you proffer them fake smiles

false warmth, ersatz concern

momentary pseudo-care

and at the very end

that throbby little bye-bye phrase 'take care' !

all makes you feel real good

of course that well-known phrase means

'YOU take care of YOU, fuck off now, don't bother me"

but still that springy smell of hope

the lure of seeming love . . .

sometimes, stupid, they reach out

though they ought to know much better

ought to! yet sometimes, somehow don't . . .

but it's okay, that's when you strike hard

with all your sharp-curved claws full out, exposed

protect what's yours, your sacred selfy self

and then, though slow, they learn

(life long learning, such a gracious gift)