Playing the Game
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You get whiplash when he walks past the store front window.
He looks suave and debonair in his italian suit and silk tie.
You notice him taking notice of you and so the game begins.
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You muster up your college vocabulary and fish out your glasses.
The top three buttons on your shirt are quickly fastened.
Your feet find their way back into the work heels as he makes his approach.
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His eyes meet yours briefly as his feet lead him on a path straight for you.
He loosens his tie as he saunters up to the nearby stool.
Taking a seat, he orders a scotch on the rocks and sends a drink to her.
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The girl at the end of the bar is a classic beauty with a modern twist.
Her massive collection of auburn curls are restrained in a high, tight, ponytail.
The wispy indie dress billows around her ankles as her laughter fills the room.
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Time after time you've seen the same scenario play out before your eyes.
This time you finally get the nerve up to ask, "Why her and not me?"
You wait for an answer about style, look and preference.
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The man looks as if he's only seeing you for the very first time.
He gives you a head to toe once over before he begins.
His explanation is preceded by a comical smile of beautiful veneers.
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"I saw you through the window before I decided to stop.
Your blouse slightly unbuttoned, holding a glass of merlot,
A woman at ease, bare feet hanging above forgotten stillettos.
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"Your hair was less than perfect and your make up was almost gone.
My thoughts were centered on how comfortable you were in your own skin.
Here in public, you still found your personal corner of peace.
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"However, as I grabbed your eye, you changed in a series of blinks.
The firsts three blinks buttoned your shirt, applied lipstick and found the out of place hairs.
The next three found your glasses, shoes and perfected posture.
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"You adjusted to what you surmised I would be attracted to,
You killed the very essence of yourself that silently drew me in.
Only then did I settle for sending a drink to the woman over there.
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"Because a woman who is comfortable enough to be who she is wherever she is,
That is where I find true beauty and that's the ultimate attraction.
It's exactly what I saw until you decided that you knew what I wanted.
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" I craved what I saw from afar, the ideal picture of perfection.
You turned out to be a basic imitation of the Mona Lisa I sought.
Nothing more than a chameleon with no true existance of your own.
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"Knowing who you are and trusting in it is the sexist thing ever.
It may not appeal to all men who walk along your path,
But respect and real reactions will be plentiful during your walk.
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"We dont want fake anymore than you want to play dress up.
Eventually we all tire of our assigned roles and want to shed the character.
Portrayals these days are poor imitations of pseudo lives.
"If you learn to broadcast exactly who you are,
When a man gets closer, he wont leave out of disappointment,
He'll draw nearer, already addicted to the flecks of who you are.
"But when you decide ahead of time to slip into the role I may want,
Then you lure me in with false pretenses that eventually fall away,
That's when I wake up next to a woman that neither of us know."
He falls silent and allows it all to sink in along with the wine.
Too late to undo what you've done, you acknowledge his wisdom with a nod.
You watch longingly as he locks eyes with the treasure shining at the end of the bar.
Copyright © 2009 Natasha Guy
Too many times we see someone that we want and hurry to change into the person they desire. What about your original blue print? If you can attract someone with those plans, then you dont have to second guess what the person wants. Simply because the person has already decided that he or she wants you. So, in this case, you only have to continue existing, versus constantly recreating the idea or role that you've assumed. Take a little mirror time each day and make sure you know who you are so that when someone asks your name, you'll know the meaning behind it.
