the dating profile

they all say,
love to laugh, low
maintenance,
easy going,
love the beach.
the girl next door.
fit and fun.
smart cookies each
and every one.
ambitious, bright,
successful.
love to sail,
love to read, love
to sing.
to write, to eat
and drink.
love to make love.
love to snuggle.
movies, theater.
i'm your favorite
dream.
the pictures show
a smiling face.
a happy face.
a healthy face.
against the backdrop
of the sea,
of a mountain range.
the blue sky.
they are bursting
with joy.
but you never see
the small print
at the bottom,
below the distracting
bikini picture.
you don't see what
reads between the lines.
dangerous, crazy
as a loon.
on lithium, just
released from a mental
institution where I
went to mend.
I will eat your
soul alive.