44

The promised fire pit is warm,

Though weather only lets her use it

For a month or two a year

At most.

He used to squint his eyes

As if he couldn't take her in

At once.

She snuggles evenings

With her television

And dreams of whisking off,

Adventures she will never have.

She cannot put

The humdrum life

She pieced together here

At risk.

Before they moved together,

He would come

Like fireworks eternally

Exploding solid earth and sky

And shaking loose the heavy dark

At night.

The job provides

Twelve holidays

Kind of close to the coast.

The house is nearly bought.

Her husband pays the bills

And tolerates

Her minor whims

At least.

- 4/9/25