evening

I gave back all your gifts
Returned all your money
Replaced everything I had broken
Cleaned your house
Took your kids to school
Made you dinner
Made the bed
It wasn’t enough

Lies I had told
Things I had stolen
Secrets I had kept
Places I’d gone and not told you
Sons of yours I had ripped from my womb
Armies of your men I had slain at a whim
Precious treasures and works of art I burned
Years I had wasted

I never told
I never borrowed
I never brought anyone in
I never left the room
I decided to
Keep it all for myself

It’s many years later and I
Am an old woman
Shriveled and tired
The light in my eyes has dimmed
I watch television
I laugh at the silliness of children
And I hardly remember you

01.31.2011