Parenthetical Girls Follow

it took all the strength they knew not to consume you
and was all that I could muster just to kiss you
watch my waist for days to take this place beside you
like the way the one who loves you is supposed to
the way you used to

did you forget?
when all who'd soon surpass me sought respect
the press still hung on every envied breath
and could you blame them?
we both said things that we'd come to regret
"here comes success"
"you cash the checks"

you take my name
and braved it with this patience of the saints
i flirted with a fame which never came
did doubts dissuade you?
took pains to say "let nature have her way"
and 'course she did
and you bore the kid

these pangs of pride
as every eye moves onto you
and though you quiet every room
it's sometimes hard to hear the truth

and sighs aside
the way the limelights long for you
they shine their colors on me, too
and now there's nothing I can do

what child is this?
the heir to my illusive parentage
that face of his could take him far from this
but I'm still childless
and neither knows just who the father is
the rabbit's dead
well, she easily leapt (?)

you've made your name
and trouble loves the cuckold of acclaim
these kids can't sense the difference either way
and can you blame them?
when all my memories now bear your name
and sure we've been blessed
well, more or less

these pangs of pride
as every eye collides with you
and though you quiet every room
it's always hard to hear the truth

and sighs aside
the way the limelight smothers you
they cast their colors on me, too
now they'll remember me through you

does this amuse you?
am I supposed to?
it wasn't meant to

pay your respects
it's grand, I guess, to treat this like a death
though now somehow less readily erect
I might surprise you
and rise to the occasion now and then
flesh of my flesh
don't hold your breath

is life unkind?
well, pride resolves of all things in due time
but who contrives this legacy I leave behind
to those born after?
obliged to let the master think she's right
o long-suffering wife
hell, high tide
I'm by your side

it was all that they could do not to consume you
and was all that I could muster just to kiss you
watch my waist for fifteen days to stand beside you
like the way the one who loves you is supposed to
I have my use, too