she called to say she lost her wedding ring,
but she’ll be home in time for supper.
maybe she’ll have just enough time to search for it
before the wine and pasta go on the table,
crawling around on her hands and knees,
desperate with longing to find her missing half.
maybe the leaves will burn golden and orange
on the trees before she’ll find it, bursting into flames.
her voice sounded worried with a slight edge of panic,
as if she were standing on the edge of a cliff
wanting to jump yet at the same time wanting to stay.
she called to say she still loves you
and she’s sorry for losing the only thing
that ever kept you two together.