He makes a vaguely polite gesture
Buying me a $7.00 Little Orphan Annie doll from Goodwill tonight
My daughter brings it to me
There is no conversation
No excitement in his eyes
No pausing
To glance my way
I am alone like I always am
Spinning my wheels
Waiting for the right time
No nods or assurances
He looks up the price of the doll
It's worth eighty dollars
What an investment
Misguided at that
My daughter saw a skull there
She thought you might like
I'm numb tonight
Tears fall down my cheeks
Hoping my children don't notice
Marriage is a dangerous institution
Violent neglect
I sit barefooted in my Aztec leggings
Scowling now
You're so distant now
Reading the morning paper
Drinking your morning coffee
Tall wide shouldered
Ruddy complexion
Grey hair
I've forgotten the color of your eyes
Hot air in through the open patio doors
Black leather coach
Bowls of paperclips
Rubber bands
Ashes on the stained cement floor
I picture you rolling cigarettes
With deliberate care
In your boxers
Your new companion at your side
Can't help feeling alone
It's only half past eight
No comments:
Post a Comment