Someone Else's Muse

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