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Works

Aftermath

it was gentle and sweet

nothing like the anger of the hours before

it was quiet, content sighs all that were allowed

it was the last time

she lay on top of him

satisfied and spent

still love in her eyes

and his as he looked at her

but he thought

this can't go on like this

but she thought

this is how it ends

they'll have

this memory to hold

on those dark nights when it's over

but for now

in the aftermath

they'll take it for what it is

him thinking they were going

to keep trying

her thinking goodbye love


in the aftermath

it ends

this is how she imagined

it would end

but didn't get it

that's the hook for her

shakes it off    she'll move on


in the aftermath

 

Adduce

the evidence was in
her world was fucked
she had lost her career
for a man who didn't care, but expected she would do it
and take care of him, she sacrificed, spent years doing so
gave him her life
gave up her soul
gave everything
for the crumbs handed back
the evidence was in
her world was fucked
he was gone
she was still here
adduced she could cite it all
every incident
a lifetime of them
she believed him
when he told her
no one else will want you, ever, no one but him
but the evidence is in
he's been indicted
found guilty as charged
sentenced
dead and gone
her world is still fucked
Jenny Olson 4/29/24
Jenny Olson The Poet © 2024