I had a friend or so I thought
Well more than a friend if I were true
If I had been true to that what she sought
She wanted more, that I knew
It wasn’t something I was told
Not in words at least
The games of love are often old
The feelings of one often fleeced
In a game when hearts aren’t true
My actions weren’t meant to harm
This power was something new
Not many fell for my charm
Her heart was something borrowed
A loan for lonely times
When hurried times had slowed
Selfishness topped my list of crimes
I never considered her countenance
If she felt something blue
And a sixpence
Nor a dime would do
To fix what I did to you
So as I sit here
In this pew
Listening to vows shared I fear
I made the mistake in not being in his shoes
Not being the one marrying you
This is for a dVerse prompt: Pick one of the following two options:
1) Use one (or more) of the five phrases in the Victorian rhyme either as a title for your poem or within your poem. You can write about marriage or not. The subject of the poem is wholly up to you.
OR
2) Riff off this rhyme. Let it take you wherever it takes you, from the romantic and sentimental to the fantastic or macabre. What charms or rites, humorous or serious, would you include for a particular occasion’s success (or failure)? What ritual or recipe for good fortune, peace, or harmony? For writing? Just put it in a poem, narrative, lyrical, or anything in between. And good luck!
I chose #1 and used all the phrases from the rhyme
Something old, something new
Something borrowed, something blue
And a sixpence in her shoe.
I hope you enjoy! 😊
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The Author Stew webpage - Stories & Poems 
A very self-aware write, whether it’s your story or someone else’s. Excellent writing Stew, especially getting all those rhymes in there. 👏
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There are those mistakes that we make… but I hope it’s for the best still…
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Hopefully a lesson learned. Thanks for reading! 😊
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This too is a tale as old as time, Stew, and I liked the way you engineered the rhyme (Victorian and your own) to suit the narrative and its tone of regret. Honesty as a possibility would be a nice change from the games people play. The ending lines drive that point home. These stood out for me too: “Her heart was something borrowed/A loan for lonely times.” 💔
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Thank you Dora for your deep reading. Too often the regret of one’s selfishness comes too late. ♥
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