21 to 30

graduated mid term
fellowship is hers
assisting a professor
grading his papers
taking his classes
correcting his mistakes
he hates her

can't help it
being so smart
others are jealous
including the husband
she's so blind
she never sees
he's like mom

both get jobs
hers is better
she's paid more
she never realizes
how it rankles
eats at him
not till later

it was 1976
shocking phone call
Christmas Eve tragedy
dad is dead
one rifle shot
right rear skull
just like Kennedy

grandma is shattered
her first born 
gone without explanation
(no note found)
mom enjoys it
center of attention
she holds court

Johnny's honeymoon interrupted
his marriage fails
Tommy's a zombie
he never marries
Betsy struggles through
marriage a prison
child no more

work's like school
a safe place
she can excell
no penalty there
with her help
husband writes songs
(for other women)

husband is cruel
doesn't want her
wants other women
an open marriage
mocks her inexperience
seven years older
he claims superiority

lying to friends
pretending it's working
while dying inside
he isolates her
controls her life
inflicts subtle hurts
just like mom

World's Fair summer
family members visit
a false front
he skips counseling
but she persists
gains enough courage
happy 30th--divorce

c. 12/2008