A Lady's Heartache

American Poetry Review, The, May/Jun 1998 by Scholnick, Michael

Snow builds quietly, antithetical;

Lamplight glows 100 watts inside a borrowed room;

The lemon tea set to cool,

She writes preoccupied,

page after spiral-bound page:

"The evening inclines to statement, a memory,

Boots dry on newspaper mats, snowy hours

brush the windowpanes . . .

Indecision makes us false. .

I wish for no malice to linger.

Your ways generous, I stood before the mirror weak and emboldened. .

Tomorrow fims of spray harass the driver in pursuit. .

Best to plead no rendezvous

nor demonstrate affection over the phone.

This action is wise.

Our venture culminates without further plans.