Poetry and articles

This chapter from "The Art of Seduction" outlines how we can learn from Casanova to fulfill another's fantasies.

Casanova was perhaps the most successful seducer in history; few women could resist him.

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Pretending us by Carol L. Skolnick [ Salon.com ]

Why do we make this big deal out of this simple and absurd thing that two people do?

'And I keep wanting our relationship to be deep, but it's really just about eating and copulating and discussing mundane things like my latest job interview '

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Excerpt from Gerald Gould's "Monogamy"

'This is the horror that, night after night,
Sits grinning on my pillow -- that I meant
To mix the peace of being innocent
With the warm thrill of seeking out delight:
This is the final blasphemy, the blight
On all pure purpose and divine intent --
To dress the selfish thought, the indolent,
In the priest's sable or the angel's white.

For God's sake, if you sin, take pleasure in it,
And do it for the pleasure. Do not say:
`Behold the spirit's liberty! -- a minute
Will see the earthly vesture break away
And God shine through.' Say: `Here's a sin -- I'll sin it;
And there's the price of sinning -- and I'll pay.'

'Poetry for Cheaters' by D. Reid Wallace

"Poetry about adultery? Now that's an uncommon perspective, is what lots of folks say about my work. Actually, my decision to use poetry seemed entirely natural because of the expressed emotions revealed in my interviews with men and women engaged in secret love affairs. Their candor helped me identify the complex issues of infidelity as well as the pain and pleasure of the experience." - D. Reid Wallace.

Excerpted from 'Stolen Love : Poetry for Cheaters' by D. Reid Wallace.

20 lbs.

I forgot to care about Having grown so round Nobody was asking for My hand in marriage or My body in bed So why diet down 20 lbs?
Then, the right place At the right time A chance encounter Made me remember What's been forgot. Agreed to, and see you Over and over again. With undivided attention You have yet to mention That I should diet down 20 lbs.
I know you're not staying Not paying bills, raising my kids Or giving me your name; But there is something of value I can happily claim: Your caring way with me More meaningful than it sounds Was just the motivation I needed To diet down 20 lbs.

Holidays and Weekends

Used to love holidays and weekends Times to relax and let down, spent with friends But now all they are is a countdown until time away from you ends. My closest friend, Alan, is the only one who knows When I appear preoccupied where my thoughts go; In my mind we can be together Whenever and wherever I choose Doesn't equal the real thing but it gets me through The weekend, that seems to come around so fast, If only our time together could seem as long to last.
It's comfort to know you're also sad, thinking as I do Misery like this needs company What better partner in crime than you. Thanksgiving and Christmas Remind me, how thankful I am for the gift Of a wonderful, special someone anxiously Waiting, to share lusty love and secret sex.
Let's see, there are 104 Saturdays and Sundays And eleven holidays to make us melancholy, too Living two lives the way we do Weekends and holidays, I spend time missing you.

My Psychic Says

My psychic says you're up to no good Says you've bedded more women than any normal man could My psychic says you'll hurt me one day and I should stay away From the likes of you.
My psychic says you're just foolin' Around with my heart That I should get smart About getting in too deep Stop losing sleep Over the likes of you.
My psychic says your wife's just fine In other circumstances she'd be a friend of mine My psychic says she, too, is often blue Putting up with the likes of you.
But my psychic doesn't know everything She doesn't know the thrill Having you brings Doesn't know how risking discovery Makes stealing love with you Pure reverie.
She can't know because she can't see How to make her own life better Never mind me!
So I think I'll ignore her warning and meet you tomorrow morning Because I couldn't care less about what my psychic says.

Still

She cried and I lied as I promised to let you go. I've hurt her again, seems there's no end to the pain I've caused. I feel bad, but still
I can't stay away from you I'm crazy for your touch, need you so much You've taken hold of my heart, and still
She cares for me, in her our children see the ideal mother, and so do I. I can never deny what she brings to our lives, She's like all good wives, I'm damn lucky, but still
I want what's not mine; whenever there's time, I knowingly betray her trust. I must have you in my life even though So much of who I am is bound up in This marriage I once believed was all I needed.
But now the feeling's no longer there, and I don't want to share a life of duty instead. So I'm selfish enough
To risk it all whenever you call and say you'll see me Still

Not Guilty Enough

You seem to disapprove when I tell you truthfully That I don't let a guilty conscience bother me. I'm no hypocrite I know what I'm out here to do, with you So I won't say I feel bad Just sad, watching you suffer So here's the question I offer: What good is guilt if it doesn't keep you at home?

Last best day

'Everything was perfect, couldn't have been better That's why I cried so when I got his letter It was the best it's ever been. Let's end it on that note, So we can remember the loving, wonderful way We spent our time together,' Was his suggestion. I couldn't see it that way at first, but perhaps in time I'll see the good in his approach But it doesn't take the pain away Or mend a heart that's breaking It was a clean break the decent man I loved was making.