Joanna Gilman Hyde

I

He used to say:

“I love Your Toes –”

and didn’t know why

so nobody knows

II

He once wrote:

“I love You to distraction –”

It came at a time

when I was a fraction

of My Former Self

at His Behest

when We were installed

as His Daughter’s Guests

III

Her voice rang clear

the morning We left:

“You don’t give a fuck

about your grandchildren — ”

and so goes My Quest

for compensation regarding My Past

twenty years of seclusion by Him —

He Who assured Me

He never would fail

to deliver support

if I fell off The Rail

which I did once or twice

(but not into His Arms)

though I stayed as His Wife

and buttered His Charms

IV

It’s over now —

I’m cutting My Loss

of One Child’s Silence

I am willing to toss

to remain in My Stead

I ask to be free

of The Bonds of This Marriage

strung on The Cross