The inclination to rescue
       doesn't spring from an
          altruistic desire to feel good
               about myself.
It is a damnable urge
    costing me three bad marriages.
I became the 'bad guy'
    when I stopped a couple I worked with
         from beating his wife in public.
Stupid me,
     offered the woman help.
My thanks
      was her venom
              for years...
Rescue equates to
     put your **** out
             to be chewed.
Yet - I still have the
    burning desire
        to pay it forward
Aware reward is a jaded heart-
       and the inescapable knowledge
I would do it all again.