Woman
staring at me
from across the breakfast table
You soften all my rough edges,
the ones I keep out in front
to prevent others
from getting too close,
seeing the real me.
only you know who that is.
I give myself to you
each and every day
and it gives me the greatest
pleasure in the world
to hear you ask me one simple question.
How was your day?
The words wash over me
in an instant relief that makes me forget
about the bad that happened that day.
I remember only the good,
thankful that someone
as beautiful as her
can make me forget how ugly
I am myself
even for just a moment.
Staring into the two jadeite pools
opposite from me,
they\'re unwavering, endless,
bottomless as the ocean is deep
I could fall into them forever
and not be sad.
I won\'t get lost though.
I\'m going to the grocery to
get the eggs for tomorrow morning
to repeat the ritual.
And this time,
just maybe
I won\'t have to pretend
she\'s imaginary.