Deception, 1946

By Kenneth Pobo

I get woozy on a staircase,
almost passed out
walking up a New Jersey lighthouse.
I’ve committed many deceptions —
some bring relief
like when this man who said
he loved me got in his car
and drove off while I took a shower.
It’s easy to deceive
with I love you.

You might hear someone say it
on a staircase. You might
say it there too.
Three words hanging
between truth and lie,
flickering Christmas tree lights.