Evan is always remorseful.
Beats himself up after drunken explosion.
Apologizes, sends his battered wife
romantic cards, Godiva chocolate,
expensive flower arrangements.
Behavior that lasts less than twenty four hours.
It’s a temporary, resentful détente.
Prolongs unhappy cohabitation.
The thought of breaking up,
filing paperwork, dividing assets,
finding separate places to live,
leaves them exhausted.
Easier to look the other way,
immerse herself in work.
Have discreet affairs.
Apply heavy makeup.
Jennifer Lagier has published nine books of poetry as well as in a variety of literary magazines. Her latest book, Camille Vérité, was published by FutureCycle Press. She taught with California Poets in the Schools, co-edits the Homestead Review, maintains web sites for Homestead Review, Monterey Poetry Review, Ping Pong Literary Journal and misfitmagazine. She also helps coordinate monthly Monterey Bay Poetry Consortium Second Sunday readings.
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