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