Protestation No. 24: She Doth Protest...

Since many of you seemed to like yesterday's poem, I think I will offer you the sister poem today. Both were written on the same afternoon, with the same inspiration, for the same reason. (How's that for cryptic?)

=)

Protestation No. 24, or She Doth Protest Too Much

©1992 by Susan Noyes Anderson, Infinity Limited

I do not need thee; ‘tis a lie

to paint me weakened by thy charms.

Dost think thy sweeting feign would die

than leave the comfort of thine arms?

Forgive me if my brusque reply

some vision of thyself disarms.

I do not need thee; I am strong,

an oak with roots set firm and deep.

Have I not told thee right along

my counsel I would always keep?

Shouldst thou demur, thou dost me wrong;

but never mind, I shall not weep.

I shall not weep for thee, my dear;

I am not smitten by thy wit.

Though others eagerly give ear,

I find in me no benefit

from thy conceit; in fact, I fear

I harbor little taste for it.

But hold, perhaps I overstate;

I would not have thee think me cruel.

‘Tis not for me to castigate,

nor offer thee for ridicule.

It is not mine to remonstrate

if thou dost choose to play the fool.

And so, a truce, my erstwhile friend;

in truth, I have no feud with thee.

There’s little in thee to offend;

I do not fear thy company.

I need thee not, but condescend,

in service to thy need of me.