Terminal Marriage
My friend of 25 years is in crisis.
I’ve known there was trouble,
But they’ve been through it before.
Somehow it is worse this time.
Terminal Marriage
She’s tired of it. Who can blame her.
He’s full of himself–always has been.
But for a good little while we thought
We really thought he was growing up–
Growing out of himself.
Evidently we were wrong.
It makes me think about my mom’s death.
Am I going to hear soon that their marriage is over?
No going back? It isn’t going to get better?
Will it be that awful, bleak, finality, without another chance?
But to be terminally married and endure this suffering
With no end in sight; maybe that is worse.
My mom ended her life.
My friend is about to end her life as she has known it
For 34 years. At least I can cry with her
And hold her hand.
Stolen Identity
A second grade teacher asks for a raise of hands
Who believes they can run to the office with this note
And be back before I can count to 50?
All hands shoot up
A snicker is heard as Anthony whispers to Jon
A few eyes and then many turn toward Ali
She blushes as her chubby arm is lowered
Jeremy is immersed in his work
Head bent, hand and eye in perfect sync.
The form of a bear, standing on two legs emerges
Full of life and fury.
Satisfied, he places his drawing carefully in his folder
And then in his backpack for the next days deadline.
“Jeremy, I’m dissapointed in you,” his teacher said.
“You can’t expect me to believe that is your own work!
Try again.”
Hurrying against the coming light
Melissa smoothes the covers of her bed and straightens the pillows.
Her clothes were hung and put away before she fell asleep.
She dresses silently in her mother’s favorite of her outfits
In the dim light from the bathroom window
She brushes her hair and smoothes it with her small hand.
Silently she tip-toes to her mother’s bed and waits.
Quiet as she is, her mother wakes with a start.
Missy, what are you doing up so early?!
Get out of here and let me sleep! And change your clothes!
That’s too nice to wear on play day.
Why don’t you do something right for a change?
What are you thinking?
What are you thinking Ali?
What are you thinking Jeremy?
What are you thinking Melissa?
What are you thinking Anthony? Jon?
For crying out loud,
What are you thinking, teacher?
What are you thinking, mother?
For crying out loud,
What are you thinking?
For crying out loud.
For crying out loud.
Crying out loud.
Crying out
Loud.
