Belonging: Poems

Partners

Partners We’ve always been inseparable, it’s true, But don’t think that implies I’m fond of you; I get embarrassed by the things you do— I feel I can’t quite trust you anywhere And everywhere I go you’re always there: No one could call us an attractive pair. I think you put my friends off: is it spite Makes you insist on looking such a fright? Face up to it, you’re not a pretty sight. And then you have the insolence to claim That I’m the one who’s actually to blame, That I’m responsible for our shared shame And if I’d paid attention years ago And worked with you, and not been so de haut En bas, things would be fine. Well, maybe so; Whatever, as you’d say, you slob. But I’m Aware you’re contemplating pay-back time, And punishments appropriate to my crime. Already I can’t sleep too well: vague aches Won’t go away, a doctor’s visit takes Forever and she says, “for both our sakes,”  You are reading copyrighted material published by Ohio University Press/Swallow Press. Unauthorized posting, copying, or distributing of this work except as permitted under U.S. copyright law is illegal and injures the author and publisher. (Though this well-meant advice is hardly new) That I should take much better care of you. You have the upper hand now. As I knew.  You are reading copyrighted material published by Ohio University Press/Swallow Press. Unauthorized posting, copying, or distributing of this work except as permitted under U.S. copyright law is illegal and injures the author and publisher. ...