After Forever

Red lips taste sweeter Than the chapped skin Of the mother of your children. Perfectly coiled curls And low-cut silk nighties Slip easily through your fingers While your wife changes a diaper And sings your oldest to sleep The same way she has since Dad left.     He’s only six.     The baby’s two.         They’re old enough.     Old enough for their father     To leave them behind?         Stop trying to guilt-trip me!     I shouldn’t have to. She still wears her ring, Like some day you’ll change your mind Or she’ll wake up from her nightmare.     Daddy’s not coming.     Daddy can’t make it.     Daddy’s busy.     It’s not your fault, baby. Your wife cares for the family You let fall to pieces Like the marriage you swore Until death did you part.     Not death. Until her.     Don’t blame her for this. After forever, Your wife sends your children to school And you watch them grow Through your cell phone. 12/20/17