Melissa O. Fuller

July 18, 2020 | 12:45 AM

So many people
that I
did not love
that I
probably should have been with

For safety purposes
for security
only
unhappy, but settled
unfulfilled, but the fence is picket
un-enamored, but the children have the college fund

His over-appreciation just has you feeling
unappreciative
His words and the way he uses them when he speaks of you, to all of them
His falling to his knees at your every beck and call

Looks so damn good on the outside
inside, outside
inside
bored inside
falling apart
inside
the house of American Dreams
and all the American Weddings they ask us to host
hoping some semblance of perfection might rub off

And I wonder,
do they want the facade, too?
The long, dreadful drives home?
The dinner parties with great food
and fake smiles?
The sleepless nights
only to wake
after that single hour of rest
and find the same stranger in your bed?

And then you startle from sleep
realizing the chaos that is life, is yours

No one to wonder
if you’ll ever be in love
with
Just the one
you are dangerously in love
with

Is this you?
Rolling over into your second sleep,
with ease