1043

the gecko crawled slowly
across those few pillows
stopped and scurried
when your husband sat down

I watched the bugs
cover the porch
and cling to the lights
sticking in your teeth
when you inhaled

your husband put his face
deep within his thin hands

I saw you empty
while you emptied a cocktail
pursed your lips
“sour”

your son lied and went
fishing at the pond
with a local boy

but that’s not why
your husband put his face
deep in his skinny hands

I felt love carved
haphazardly into cardboard
into our respective names
and watched it soak and
sag in the Texas rain