The Roper

He should've thought of that before he left me on the edge of the dock---

before he splintered my skin by dragging my crusty feet to its end

He should've thought of that before he set fire to our home in the country---

and put ablaze everything I ever loved---

save for him

He should've thought of that before he took scissors to the only dress that was mine---

all mine

He should've thought of that before they made him twist

and turn and twist

and burn

He should've thought of me---

but he didn't

because we fell out of the painting

never to clasp hands in the dark again

And all the stomachs turned

with our minds

into the emerald light