he fixed on her
pensive glistering eyes
but would utter naught
he wondered at
how she exalted him
all his vices
yet belittled him
all his virtues
if she was no longer
who once she was
and they were together
forever to be one flesh
who was he now?
*
her love became words
his words became letters
the swollen space between
let rivers run widespread
over vast empty pages
she said what
he wanted to hear
he heard what
she wanted to say
mutual affection was now
the subject and the object
language having lost
its lilting light
*
she was seated
in the corner
where he never stood
staring at him
she saw a rotting trunk
felled to the floor
no trace of recognition
a lifetime of fact
become an epitaph of opinion
he held his breath
the sound of his silence
broken with a glance saying
if you wish to then yes
