The Shallow Well
What is a woman to do
when the husband
she will not leave
is no longer hers?
What is a man to do
when he loves his
children but cannot live
with their mother?
Dear love,
some days
you are not that
deep or
complicated. Once
you’re gone,
you’re gone.
Do you take
the blueprints
with you?
All that’s left
is cataloged in
photographs
and a pile
of post-it notes.
After you left our
home, we hankered
for you, fingers
scampering
for crumbs in
the cookie jar,
mouths
searching
thirsty for
drops of
you in the
pitcher.
I called for
you in whispers
and all I found
was the salt.
"Once you're gone, you're gone. Do you take the blueprints with you?"