Manipulating the Husband
The husband behaved badly.
I am the bringer of shame, I am cross.
Yes, he will toss in the sheets while I sleep, and snore, soundly.
Oh yes.
I will not forgive easily, but I
Am incredibly polite.
Now things get difficult.
The husband’s guilt, welling up behind the dyke
which the little Dutch boy is holding behind the wall
with one finger,
Will burst. You’ll see.
I am the keeper of many things, including
Secret crushes on
across the street;
I will cook a dinner even though I work
Much too much to support this family; I will
Make it taste like courtship again and tonight,
In the sheets, I make sure he wins.
— Stephanie Brown