By Gregory Gross, MSW
Every night at 4 a.m., after 40 years
the flat of my hand leaves the small
of her back to accelerate
the rollover, my face to the wall,
to look out through morning darkness
to my other spouse.
I am also married to my job.
Nightly I yearn for my daily cheat.
This other woman offers much happiness
But little comfort.
“Your precious wife can have your hoary heart.
I leave her your loins, as well,
And your hype, your hope, and your hunger.”
She mocks my morningglow with her own meretriciousness.
Cares not a whit about our one thousand offspring
together.
Nor about joys or jealousies of ideas and
those who would make or decry them.
“Oh, yes, she can have your heart. The
Marriage of true minds’ impediments, too.
I’ll settle for your soul, Luv.”
Come lie with me.
Gregory Gross, MSW, has taught in the Social Work Department at The College of St. Rose, Albany, NY, since 1977. Special interests include HBSE, practice, eastern and western theatre, postmodernism, and his role as an editor for THE JOURNAL OF PROGRESSIVE HUMAN SERVICES.