where divorce is still illegal,
now they are trying to pass a bill
that will allow the married to unshackle
from unhappiness, from pummeling neglect,
from abuse and the thousand other ways
that kind of union dies, with no prospect
of real rehabilitation. Decades ago,
I tried to follow the advice I was given:
hire a lawyer; at least seek an annulment,
pay in order to be taken seriously.
The priests sat in their sanctuaries
drinking rare wines stored in their cellars
and eating dinner prepared by women
they hired from the villages. The lawyer
who was supposed to be working for me
did not hide his annoyance when I was
overcome with tears, which was often.
But he pocketed the fees and even
asked for an adjustment to cover travel,
though we lived in the same city.
At that time, my case did not,
as they say, prosper.
Purveyors of fine poetry since 2003.
