You ask, what does it feel like to be married for 50 years

That’s a long time you say

To be with the same man

But I think, not the same man at all

First was the prophet in sandals

That I snatched from the jaws of a zen center

And introduced to family life

Who turned into a bearded woodsman with a sledge hammer

And Chrysler engines

Who transformed into a clean shaved boy

With a weakness for vodka

Who changed again, sobered up

In counterpoint to me

And became a charismatic teacher all admired

Went through a dog, a cat, a dog, three cats two children, a mistress

For 50 years

What a long long time I say

To be married to so many different men

I look over at him

In his current incarnation

You’ve got to change I say to him.