You’re a hard friend to have, said Matt, my spouse
of fifteen years one bitter New Year’s Day.
I recall exploring Prague, reading Faust
climbing the math building roof that first May.
Shattered shards of colored glass—our family
when you left. Lexi eleven, Laina eight
(Mommy’s long, dark hair—Daddy’s eyes, fairy
wood), burrowed, curled into me. Too late?
Sam, our black lab whined, as tear-streaked faces
slumbered with new nightmares. I counted cost.
For six months, we grew and found our places.
Free we never knew. Love we never lost.

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Mending Fences by Rachel Rinehart
originally published August 25, 2008