Sonnets From Other Lives: Merrylee

All the things that she wanted from him
were not worth what he wanted from her.
Much as she loved the way his slim,
rangy body moved & the assured
way his hands could bring her back to life--
it was her paycheck he loved best she too well knew.
She’d written all the “loans” off as the price
women like her had to pay if they were to
take rovers like him into their bed,
but lately he’d gone hard & even cruel.
That crossed a line—him messing with her head.
He can take her money but she will not be his fool.
He’s coming by tonight. She’s thinking though
she’ll wait ‘til morning to tell him to hit the road.