Your New Wife

Take this poem and deliver it to my husband,
Tell him it's from his wife.
He will be the one with the unshaven face
And the bags under his eyes,
And he will carry with him the smell of
Menthol cigarettes and tar.
He will not greet you kindly.

He will curse you
And give you every threat known to mankind
But you must be persistant -
I have some things to say before
I let him go.

Husband;

There are sheets in the washer
That need to be put to dry
Or they will certainly stink up the house.
Trevor has baseball practice every week day,
From six to eight
Except on Friday's -
Remember this.

The flowers on the windowsill in the kitchen
Need to be watered.
You know I hate dying plants.
Rushing out of the house this morning,
I knocked over our wedding picture.
If you would be so kind to pick it up again,
Thank you.

The shattered glass reminds me of
The time you hit me
"Because you are a man."
Men don't cry.
And I will not depart saying "I love you"
Because I'd like your transition to be smooth.
Despite what you think,
Even now I care very much.

As for the carrier of this poem,
I have selected her to be your
New wife.
I don't know whether to tell you
To treat her like me,
Or perhaps not.

Do not show me regret.
It's too late for that.
Now is the time to be strong,
Remember - we have a child.

I see your tears clearly now,
Your vision of my words blurred.
I guess you were wrong.

Treat her better.