First Poem After Parting
This is what I wanted, isn’t it? This house, quiet
as sunlight, grass on the other side of these windowsfading from gold to green like a woman taking
off her makeup. I have waited and waited to hold my grief. Tied her up in garbage bags under clothes
I intend to donate, slipped her in the side pockets of suitcases and empty slots between cigarettes
in packs I carry always in multiples. I trained her to stand behind doors, to exit as laughter from my
throat.