"D.I.V.O.R.C.E.," originally published in The Germ, 2014, is featured in Short Edition's series, The Current. Mark J. Mitchell has been a working poet for forty years. He lives with his wife, the activist, Joan Juster. His latest poetry collection is "Roshi, San Francisco" from Norfolk Press. A small online presence exists: https://mark-j-mitchell.square.site/

Originally published in The Germ, 2014
He lost his second wife in Buffalo.She hid behind his books and slipped awayon their due date. Libraries are safe—dustholds warmth. It smells like powdered hands. She curledunder some shelves and stayed. He had to go—anywhere. Two yellow lines knew his name.He loved spilled gas, new tar. Some arctic gustChased him through a door. He followed a world.She lives on paper now. Her dreams are sadbut pretty. His eyes only squint at signs.He never wonders. She thinks that's too badbut flips her page. For now, distance exciteshim like flame. She knows that her pictures will fadequick as brittle paper,

© Short Édition - All Rights Reserved

6

You might also like…

Poetry

Bar Lines

Kris Lo.

The first time it really hits me, I'm staring at the peeling paint on the doorknob.I long ago memorized the feeling of coming home – the click of my key in the door, the scent of Mom's stir fry on ... [+]

Poetry
Poetry

Just A Fish

A.M. Do.

We spent hours at the store. Allison examined each animal one by one. She studied their movements, their noises and their smells. She looked at their feathers, spots, fur patterns, and colors. She ... [+]