Betrayals
Perhaps it’s the trivial
betrayals that hurt
the most and
the meanness of spirit
that goes with them
the words meant
to put you down
in front of others
your friends in particular
the sneering words
delivered with the same
passion with which a knife
might be embedded
in your back
And it always comes
as such a surprise
delivered by a fawning Brutus
or a Judas or a Delilah
in sheep’s clothing
and wearing a smile
John Lyons