Michael Diehl, Stand-Off 3
LOVELY ASSISTANT
Wizard wedded his mistress.
His prestidigit triggered hex-
upon-rebus upon his ticklish scrawl in her palm.
I swoon, I give up –-she pretended— & each
time she switched among his charms she gained
another moment not to mention a missing
capsule or two she must’ve squirreled away.
She mothered me. Occasions arose (I supposed)
underneath certain conditions: glory be with candles,
o never mind fingered around & around a singing
wet crystal rim. So long, goodbye & better
riddance to neighborhoods in the rearview
mirrors in rearview mirrors split into facing
infinities rocking secondhand stars & moons.
I keep to myself. Warm enough of a winter.
Snowflakes scuttle up to my door as I feed
them her crumbly ash until they sigh aloud
in gratitude to burgeon green come spring.
I can do this. I don’t have to know how.
All it takes is the same time that time keeps
telling itself. All the levities & lies it needs.
______________
Martha Zweig