Happy Anniversary

His back twisted and bent from
the weight of her on
his shoulders.
Belligerent blubber ball, her
words ice picks to his heart.

Step stab (you aren’t good enough)
Step stab (I didn’t want you)
Step stab (such a failure)
Step stab (what will I tell my friends?)

He shuffles through
soggy grass.
As he stoops to read the
inscription, she
rolls off hollering.

In loving memory of….
satisfied she’s still dead,
he puts her back
on his shoulders for
another year.