when we met
you said you would do
anything to get money
in order to take care of me.
you bought me furs, diamonds,
two, no three, trips to paris.
i never asked how you paid.
why would i?
why should i?
i was hopelessly
ecstatically in love.
marriage was never mentioned.
i didn’t reveal
boring, unimpressive tom.
avoided asking if you had a wife
or children.
today, flying high over the lake
you, at last, reveal your secret.
tom, you say, is tired of me.
has paid for everything.
you inform me
the final payment arrived today
then shove me out the door.
Lake Whatcom is about a half-mile from my house.
Up From the Ashes 