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Bart Edelman 61 Story of His Life He tells me why his fat wife Won’t make love with him— What he plans to do When the kids have grown And he won’t feel the need To stay for the sake of them. It’s a tale I’ve heard before, But I’m a good listener, And the rum looks as dark As the bar’s back room. What we well know, Yet can never admit, Is that he won’t leave her: Not now, not then, not ever; And while there may be A fling or two in his future, It will do little to keep him From the warm space he’s found In that cold place he waits Each night as she turns Slowly away from him. What there is of hope He says was soon forgotten. But every once in a while He pulls an old photograph Out of his leather wallet, Taps it twice on the table, And asks me to examine The woman he soberly swears He married twenty years ago, When he had nothing to lose, And she was as slim As a summer day is long. This page intentionally left blank. ...

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